Public health, animal dignity, and urban cleanliness hang in the balance as slaughter continues in plain sight across Guwahati
On paper, the rules are clear. Slaughtering animals or selling meat in open roadside stalls is banned in Guwahati. But just step into any crowded market area today, and it is clear the rules are being butchered.
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Chickens packed tightly in cages, goats tied near drains, and slabs of raw meat hanging from hooks out in the open: such scenes are still common across places like Hatigaon, Beltola, Rehabari, and Maligaon etc.
The Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) issued an order in August 2021 banning the open display and slaughter of meat and fish in public. The goal was to improve hygiene and stop practices considered a public nuisance. But four years down the line, little has changed.
Despite the law, public slaughter continues. Blood runs through street corners, mixing with rainwater and garbage. Children walk past these sights on their way to school. Office-goers start their day with a disturbing image stuck in their minds.
What was supposed to bring cleanliness and order to the city’s streets has turned into a clear case of failed enforcement.
The order, issued on August 13, 2021, stated that meat, fish, poultry or imported meats meant for human consumption could not be sold without a valid license from the GMC. The sale of these items in public view, hung on hooks or exposed to dust and air, was strictly prohibited. Vendors were also barred from gutting animals in public.
"I saw a goat being slaughtered right in front of another animal, right on the roadside near Ulubari. My child started crying and refused to eat that entire day," said a resident in Rehabari.
A parent said, “My daughter used to love mutton, but one day she saw a goat being slaughtered and has stopped eating it since. Even we now eat the meat almost apologetically if she is around.”
Animal activists have raised concerns not just about hygiene but also about the psychological impact of public animal slaughter. Abhay Bora, a Guwahati-based animal welfare advocate, calls these acts deeply disturbing.
Talking to GPlus, Bora highlighted several troubling issues surrounding the public slaughter of animals in Guwahati. He explained that many animals are often killed without any sedation or humane method, leading to intense fear and prolonged suffering. “The animals are aware of what's happening. They cry, struggle, and are often killed in full view of others waiting in line. It’s brutal,” he said.
Bora also raised serious concerns about hygiene. In several parts of the city, meat vendors are seen slaughtering animals openly, leaving behind blood, feathers, and waste that spill onto public roads and drains. This not only makes the streets dirty but also contaminates the water systems nearby. “Children walk past these spots every day. It’s a health risk that nobody is talking about,” Bora added.
He further warned about a deeper, long-term effect — the gradual loss of empathy. According to him, repeated exposure to such violence in daily life can desensitise people, especially children. “When we see cruelty again and again, we start to think it’s normal. That’s dangerous for a society,” he said.
Bora questioned the silence around the issue. “On social media, we’re given graphic content warnings for disturbing visuals. But in real life, we’re forced to witness such scenes on our way to school, college, or work without any warning or choice.”
Many residents have raised similar concerns.
“I walk to work through the GNB Road every morning. There is a spot where poultry is slaughtered publicly, and the blood runs through the side drains. It’s impossible to ignore. It ruins your entire mood for the day,” said Rajib Kalita, an employee at a private firm in Silpukhuri.
The GMC's 2021 order cites Section 299 (iv) of the Guwahati Municipal Corporation Act, 1971, under which public slaughter of animals is considered a 'nuisance.' Violators can be prosecuted, and shops can be shut down.
Yet enforcement remains weak. According to a senior GMC official who spoke to GPlus, drives against illegal meat vendors are held monthly. “Last month alone, we imposed penalties amounting to Rs 1.12 lakh and shut down two illegal shops. But people must also cooperate. They buy from such shops without questioning hygiene or legality,” the official said.
The official added that the absence of designated vending zones contributes to the issue. “Not all vendors have access to legal vending spots. The allotment process is still ongoing, which is why some resort to setting up stalls along roadsides or in markets.”
Residents, however, feel that more consistent and visible enforcement is needed. "We hardly ever see any municipal inspections happening here. If something so basic like slaughter regulation cannot be ensured, what can we expect about other public health norms?" said a resident in Sijubari.
Activists argue that poor enforcement of such public health measures contributes to a larger culture of apathy. "When public slaughter becomes the norm, it affects mental health, especially among children. It's even illegal to kill one animal in front of another. But such basic rules are openly flouted," Bora said.
There is also concern that such visuals contribute to emotional desensitisation. “We have come to accept violence as normal. When a child sees a hen being decapitated or a goat crying before death, it shapes their perception of life, death, and compassion. This cannot be ignored,” said city-based psychologist seeking anonymity told GPlus.
What Can Be Done?
Activists and experts propose a multi-pronged strategy:
• Dedicated Slaughterhouses: Create regulated, enclosed slaughter facilities that follow hygiene and animal welfare protocols.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Educate citizens on the ethical and health implications of public slaughter.
• Strict Penalties: Increase fines and introduce criminal penalties for repeated violations.
• Vendor Training: Train and license meat vendors to follow safe practices.
• Community Engagement: Work with religious leaders, ward committees, and local organisations to create awareness.
Animal rights activists also call for a shift in diet patterns. “We are not asking everyone to stop eating meat. But the least that can be done is ensure it’s not done in a way that violates dignity of animals and people,” said Bora.
In the meantime, the GMC encourages people to file complaints through their grievance helpline. “We act immediately on verified complaints. But we need citizens to be more involved in reporting these violations,” the GMC official said.
For now, public health, animal dignity, and urban cleanliness hang in the balance as slaughter continues in plain sight across Guwahati.