Uttar Pradesh: More restrictions on cattle slaughter ahead of Eid

Lucknow: Ahead of Bakrid, the Uttar Pradesh government has issued a series of directives aimed at maintaining law and order, regulating religious activities and ensuring strict compliance with existing rules on animal slaughter. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath instructed officials that the slaughter of animals must not take place in public spaces and should be confined only to locations that have been officially designated for the purpose.

The directions were issued during a security review meeting held on Sunday, where the Chief Minister stressed that no new sites should be permitted for slaughter activities and that all religious practices must adhere to established arrangements. He also directed authorities to ensure that Eid prayers are conducted only at traditionally designated venues and warned against allowing prayers that obstruct roads or public movement under any circumstances.

The government further ordered district administrations to establish effective systems for the scientific disposal of animal remains following ritual sacrifices. Officials have been instructed to strictly enforce the ban on the open sale of meat, prevent the operation of illegal slaughterhouses and ensure that even licensed facilities do not keep animals beyond their authorised capacity.

The administration has also been directed to maintain uninterrupted electricity supply, sanitation services and security arrangements during the festival period. In districts considered sensitive from a law-and-order perspective, authorities have been asked to conduct flag marches before the festival and intensify police patrolling around places of worship.

Adityanath also reviewed security preparations with district magistrates and senior police officials from Aligarh, Bijnor, Saharanpur, Rampur and Sambhal. He instructed them to analyse past incidents, identify individuals who could potentially disturb communal harmony and initiate preventive action wherever necessary. Continuous engagement with peace committees at police station, tehsil and district levels has also been mandated as part of the government’s precautionary measures ahead of the festival.