Kochi, Oct 9 The Kerala High Court has warned the state government that it will close down all livestock markets in Keralam if District Animal Market Monitoring Committees are not constituted in all districts in eight weeks.
A bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V M issued the direction after it came to know that the committees had not been constituted anywhere in the state except Idukki district.
The court also said that while the various districts claimed that they were following the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017, strictly, no details were furnished in respect of animals seized and produced as case property.
"It is difficult to accept that the Rules 2017 have been scrupulously followed by everyone. The absence of the District Animal Market Monitoring Committee cannot be a ground to allow violations of the Rules 2017.
"In the event the District Animal Market Monitoring Committee is not constituted in every district within a period of eight weeks from date, we shall be constrained to close down all livestock markets," the bench warned.
It directed the state government to file an affidavit disclosing the cases registered under the Rules 2017 so far and the steps taken against the violators.
With the direction, the court listed the matter for further hearing on December 2.
The court was hearing a public interest litigation by animal rights activist Angels Nair, claiming that cattle meant for trading were kept cruelly tethered in the scorching heat without food or water in violation of the 2017 regulations governing cattle markets.
