New Delhi, June 3, 2009

The National Human Rights Commission has directed the District Magistrate, Meerut to remove the furnaces, in the District, which are used for extraction of fat from the animal bones within 15 days. Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Meerut has also been directed to stop the illegal activity of animal slaughter on the land belonging to the corporation. They have been asked to submit action taken report by 23rd June, 2009 giving complete details of the furnaces removed and the stoppage of animal slaughter from the land of the Corporation. The District Magistrate, Ms. Kamini Chauhan Ratan and Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Meerut, Mr. Sanjay Krishna today appeared before the Full Commission in response to the summons issued by the NHRC in the matter. The summons were issued to these officers following the report of NHRC's spot investigation team on a complaint.

Mr. Krishna said before the Commission that the abattoir was not functioning on the land earmarked by the Corporation for that purpose and the contract for the year 2009-2010 had also not been awarded. However, he said, animals were being slaughtered on the adjoining land which was encroached upon by the people long ago. He also said that illegal furnaces were being operated to extract fat from animal bones. However, he could not give a satisfactory answer to the question whether the land where illegal activity had been going on belonged to the Corporation or not. He was also evasive on the question whether the Corporation approached the District Administration or the Police for removal of encroachment from its land.

District Magistrate, Meerut, Ms. Kamini Ratan informed the Commission that preliminary orders under Section 133 of CrPC for removal of furnaces being operated for extraction of animal fat had already been issued. She assured the Commission that she would coordinate with the DIG, Meerut Range and see to it that the furnaces were removed/demolished within 15 days.

The Commissioner, Municipal Corporation also assured that the slaughter of animals on the land belonging to the Corporation would be stopped within 15 days with the help of the local administration and police.

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