Our Correspondent
Kohima | May 31
This fact may prove difficult to digest – people in most parts of the state, particularly the state capital Kohima, are currently being fed diseased pork even as the rate of pork was hiked just recently.
It has become almost an impossible task to get healthy pork with the only pork in supply supposed to be only that of diseased stuff. A careful study of all those appetising pork – an unavoidable menu for the meat-crazy Nagas – on display at the butchers’ will reveal tiny, white round seed-like objects resembling the seeds of ladyfinger.
Mostly, however, this goes unnoticed to the unsuspecting customer. The butchers appear to have designed sign language to warn regular customers and acquaintances to indicate that the meat is diseased that advising them not to buy the day’s stock. The general belief now is that only diseased pork is being supplied to the State from outside and the only healthy pork available being that of local pork.
This gives to rise a question as to why authorities are allowing diseased swine or pork to flow into the state and if checks are being conducted at the butchers’ to ensure if the meat we are consuming is safe and healthy.
Another common complaint for shoppers is the sickening sight at the slaughterhouses at the markets in Kohima. There is no sign of hygiene and the putrid stench that emanates from these slaughterhouses is enough to make one throw up. Also, with dog meat being in much demand, dogs are being openly slaughtered in some corners of some these market places in the state capital. Interestingly, in one such market place, it is mostly women seen engaged in slaughtering, cleaning, and selling the canine meat.
Most interestingly, despite the widely-publicised ban, sale of meat of wild and exotic animals and birds is still rampant in the market places. Deer meat or venison has become one of the most popular attractions and is openly sold in these markets. Captive wild animals and birds or even carcasses for sale are also displayed openly.
One wonders whether the authorities keep track of these activities and make at least some semblance of effort to keep things under control.
