Dimapur, December 6 (MExN): The Chakhesang Youth Front (CYF) on Sunday welcomed the recent Gauhati High Court (HC) order on November 25 which stayed the Nagaland Government’s ban on “commercial import and trade of dog meat and dining in restaurant.”
Expressing its opposition against the ban issued through the Nagaland Chief Secretary's notification on July 4 last, the CYF termed it as ‘illegal, unconstitutional’ and ‘amounting to deprivation of liberty’. It appreciated the HC “for understanding the sentiments of Chakhesang Naga in particular and Nagaland in general.”
It stated that the notification was ‘a rude shock’ to the Naga people, especially to the Chakhesang Naga community.
Nagas are known for having a unique traditional-cultural identity, the CYF stated.
It reminded the government that “for ages, our forefathers valued the dog meat as a special delicacy, which is rich in protein, and is considered having high medicinal supplement to our body.”
The Front further asserted that the traditional practices and food habits are part of our cultural identity, and urged the government not to curtail personal liberty, adding that it is “also part of our fundamental identity to our existence.”
Supporting the HC’s order, the CYF stated that the decision should be revoked immediately and instead, liberty should be given to the stakeholders “whether to rear, barter, trade, cater or dine.”
The Front reiterated its opposition to the ban of dog meat in Phek district.
