On April 30, 2020, a man in Manipur, who shocked animal lovers by pulling a dog along the street in Imphal before killing it for meat, was arrested by the police along with some of his friends.
A report in Times of India said, the government has prepared a draft to amend the 60-year-old Prevention of Animal Cruelty Act, proposing Rs 75,000 fine or the times the cost of the animal with jail term up to five years. The draft has been proposed for offences in three categories – minor injury, major injury leading to permanent disability, and death to an animal due to cruel practice – and prescribed different penalties ranging from Rs 750 to Rs 75,000 and jail term up to five years for different crimes, the report said.
In Manipur, the government on April 30, 2020 issued a public order, to communities of valley and hills on violation of wildlife crimes in hunting and killing of wild animals in Manipur. The order pointed out cases of wild animals carcasses posted on social media without much heed to Wildlife Protection Act and the seriousness of the offence. Section 9 (Chapter-III) of the wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 prohibits hunting and killing of wild animals including birds.
Manipur state directive authorises any Police not below the rank of Sub-inspector to prevent and investigate with rights to search, arrest, detain suspects and accused under the Act. Violators can be imprisoned for a term of 3 years or fine upto 25000/- or both.
