GUWAHATI: A commotion was reported from outside the Assam State Zoo as BJP leader Satya Ranjan Borah staged a protest against the consumption of beef.
As part of the protest, a van carrying beef for the zoo animals was halted.
The demands of the activists were asked to be forwarded to the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) by the zoo authority.
Earlier, Satya Ranjan Borah had demanded a blanket ban on cow slaughter and the consumption of beef.
Assam forest minister Parimal Suklabaidya, taking cognizance of the matter, had clarified that beef was essential for the animals' nutritious needs. He informed that states that do not allow beef feed buffalo meat to the zoo animals. However, Assam does not have enough stock of buffalo meat.
Reportedly, the Assam State Zoo feeds beef once a week to the animals.
Meanwhile, Tejas Mariswamy, the Divisional Forest Officer of the Assam State Zoo speaking to G Plus confirmed the incident and claimed to have reported the same to the police. On the issue of feeding beef to animals, he said that beef is used mainly for tigers and lions among other meats.
