Days after news of feasting on dead elephant’s meat created a hue and cry among the wildlife and environmental activists in the Northeast, parliamentarians Ripun Bora and Naba Sarania on Saturday vehemently condemned such incidents.
The two lawmakers have also appealed to the government to take stern actions against the culprits involved in the crime.
It may be mentioned that a 47-year-old captive elephant, named Laxmi from Assam, died a few weeks ago in a Mizoram village and its body was cut up and the meat was consumed by the villagers.
After Mizoram, people in Nagaland were found feasting on elephant meat.
Also read: People feast on meat of dead elephant in Mizoram
This came to light as a photo of an elephant being skinned for consumption in Nagaland’s Zunheboto district went viral on the social media.
“This is really an unfortunate incident,” said Congress’ Rajya Sabha MP Ripun Bora, who is also the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president.
Also read: After Mizoram, people in Nagaland feast on elephant meat
“As per law we need to protect all animals…SC has also issued guidelines to protect animals. And this is more serious that after killing the animals, people are using their meat for feast. We need to protect all animals and protect environmental ecology,” said Bora.
He also said that the government both at the Centre and the state should take strong action against such cruelty.
Also read: Project Elephant of MOEF&CC takes cognizance of “mysterious death” of elephant in Mizoram
“The central government as well as the governments in Mizoram and Nagaland should take actions against such incidents,” said Bora.
Echoing the same view, independent MP from Kokrajhar, Naba Sarania said the incident shows how unaware the people are in the Northeast.
“The government should take action strong against such cruelty. We know that there are several tribes in Northeast who used to kill animals but they need to be educated against such trend of killing animals and using their meat for feast,” said Sarania.
The incidents that took place in Mizoram and Nagaland also created ripples on the social media.
Meanwhile, the Project Elephant Division of the Ministry of Environment and Forest has taken serious note of the incident of mysterious death of a 47-year-old elephant in Mizoram.