Making a mockery of legislation and Acts, six camels were smuggled to Assam for slaughtering on the eve of Bakar Eid at Dhula in Darrang district.
Although the camels were saved from slaughtering as the police seized those from Dhula market a day ahead of Bakar Eid (August 12), the desert animals are now waiting for a court order to return to their native place, Rajasthan.
The seizure of the animals from Assam proved how the state animals of Rajasthan were illegally smuggled for slaughtering.
While five of the camels are being kept at Dhula Police Station, one is kept at Mangaldai Police Station, police said.
Camel was declared as State animal of Rajasthan in 2014 and the State Legislative Assembly enacted the Rajasthan Camel (Prohibition of Slaughter and Regulation of Temporary Migration or Export) Bill, 2015.
The Bill not only banned slaughter of the animal but also made transportation of the animal to other State illegal.
“We do not know much about the camels. We seized them on August 11 and they were in our custody since then,” said the Officer-in-Charge of Dhula Police Station, Abhijit Kakoty.
“We are law enforcing agency and it is difficult for us to take care of the camels. However, we are consulting with the veterinarians to ensure that they are in good health,” he added.
Although the police seized the camels, its owner went to the court recently seeking custody of them.
The police have, however, submitted a fresh prayer before the Mangaldai court on Tuesday with an appeal to give custody of the animals to the Animal Welfare Board of India.
“We have denied custody of the camels to its owner Samatullah and appealed to the court to give the custody of the camels to Animal Welfare Board of India,” said Kakoty.
“We are waiting for the court order so that we can hand over the camels,” he added.
“Rajasthan has banned slaughter and transportation of Camels under the Rajasthan Camel (Prohibition of Slaughter and Regulation of Temporary Migration or Export) Bill, 2015,” said Sujeet Choudhury, a member of the Animal Welfare Board of India.
Choudhury came to Mangaldai based on information given by the Darrang police.
“It is a crime that some smugglers brought the camels illegally to Assam for whatever reasons,” said Choudhury.
“Camel is the State animal of Rajasthan. It suits to the weather of Rajasthan only,” he further said.
Choudhury informed that they are trying to take the animals back to Rajasthan.
“We are working in association with Assam police,” he added.