KOHIMA: The Gauhati high court has quashed a three-year-old Nagaland government order that placed a blanket ban on import, trade and consumption of dog meat.
Setting aside the Nagaland government order, the Gauhati high court stated that the state government imposed the ban without passing any legislation on the same.
“The prohibition of sale and consumption of dog meat, by the executive branch of the government, without there being any law passed by the legislation in relation to trade and consumption of dog meat is liable thus to be set aside even though the impugned notification dated 04.07.2020 is said to have been passed in accordance with a Cabinet decision,” the order reads.
The court further stated that consumption of dog meat among Nagas, even in modern times, is normal.
“The consumption of dog meat appears to be an accepted norm and food amongst the Nagas even in modern times, wherein the petitioners are able to earn their livelihood by transporting dogs and selling of dog meat,” the Gauhati high court observed.
It added that, according to law, only a commissioner of food safety under the FSS act, and not the Nagaland chief secretary, could issue orders banning any meat in the state.