Beef costlier as cattle smuggled to Bangla

SHILLONG, AUG 4: Butchers in the Khasi and Jaintia hills districts have decided to hike the price of beef by Rs 40 from Wednesday as the butchers said there is shortage of beef in the state. It is alleged that the shortage of beef is because cattle are being smuggled to Bangladesh.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the butchers under the Khasi Jaintia Butchers’ Welfare Association (KJBWA) held on July 31.

“We have decided to hike the price of beef from tomorrow,” KJBWA vice president Generous Warlarpih told reporters at a news conference on Tuesday.

According to him, the hike in the price of beef, which was being sold at Rs 240, will now be increased to Rs 280.

Warlarpih informed that the price of beef had to be hiked because there is shortage in beef supply in the Khanapara traditional market at 9th mile in Ri Bhoi District.

Citing an example, he said earlier for 80kg of beef the price usually was within the range of Rs 38,800 to Rs 39, 000 but at present for the same quantity they have to pay up to Rs 44, 800 to Rs 45, 000, an increase of Rs 3200 to Rs 3500.

The butchers’ association alleged that the shortage of beef is because of traders, who claimed that they are from Dhubri area of Assam and bought cattle frequently at Khanapara.

Khanapara market is a traditional market which take place only once a week and is under the care and management of the Syiem of Hima Mylliem.

“But as per our information the cattle which they bought from this market is being illegally smuggling out to Bangladesh,” Warlarpih alleged while informing that the members of the association did made an effort to nab them, but they were instead charged of trying to loot the traders.

Informing the efforts were also made after the issue was taken up with the Syiem of Hima Mylliem and Custom department, he however said, “But nobody is willing to take our complaints seriously.”

According to him, the Khanapara market is meant to serve the interest of the indigenous people but the Syiem till date has refused to pay heed to our grievances. – By Our Reporter