New Delhi: The Himanta Biswa Sarma government on Monday tabled a Bill in the Assam assembly which seeks to ban cattle slaughter and sale of beef in parts of the state where Hindus, Jains and Sikhs are in a majority or within a five-kilometre radius of a temple or satra (Vaishnavite monasteries).The Bill also says cattle can be transported from one district to another and outside Assam, for the purposes of slaughter, only when proper documentation is available.While many states have laws that restrict or ban the slaughter of cattle, Assam’s is the first one that proposes to ban the trade and slaughter of cattle in specific areas.Offences under the new proposed law – Assam Cattle Preservation Bill 2021 – will be non-bailable. The Bill prescribes punishment of no less than three years in jail and/or a fine that may vary between Rs 3 lakh and Rs 5 lakh. If someone is convicted under the law a second time, the punishment will be doubled, according to the Bill.Sarma, after introducing the Bill, said the “new legislation seeks to ensure that permission for slaughter wasn’t granted in areas that are predominantly inhabited by Hindu, Jain, Sikh and other non-beef-eating communities or places that fall within five-kilometre radius of a temple, satra, and any other institution as maybe prescribed by the authorities”.Exemptions might be granted for certain religious occasions, he said.The chief minister further said that the new legislation was necessary because the existing Assam Cattle Preservation Act, 1950 lacked sufficient legal provisions to regulate the slaughter consumption and transportation of cattle in the state.According to the Indian Express, opposition parties have said that the Bill targets one particular community and that they will push for amendments. Congress MLA and leader of opposition Debabrata Saikia said the bill has many “problematic” provisions. “For example, the 5 km rule about beef. A stone can be laid and a ‘temple’ can be ‘built’ anywhere by anyone — so it becomes very ambiguous. This may lead to a lot of communal tension,” he said.Aminul Islam, the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) legislator, said that the Bill does not protect cows or even respect cows. “This has been brought to hurt the sentiments of the Muslims and polarise communities further. We oppose it and will try and bring in amendment resolutions,” he said.The law, when enacted, will further prohibit a person from slaughtering cattle unless he has obtained the necessary certificate issued by the registered veterinary officer of a particular area. According to the Bill, the veterinary officer will issue a certificate only if he is of the opinion that the bovine, not being a cow, is over 14 years of age.A cow, heifer (a cow that has borne no or one calf) or calf may be slaughtered only if it is permanently incapacitated.Duly licensed or recognised slaughterhouses will be allowed to butcher cattle, the Bill said.The Bill gives police officers not below the rank of sub-inspector “or any other person authorised by the government” the power to “enter and inspect any premises” within their jurisdiction where he has “reason to believe that an offence under the Act has been or is likely to be committed.” The 1950 Act gave this power only to the veterinary officer and certifying officer.There will, however, be no restriction on ferrying cattle for agricultural purposes within a district.One does not need to take permission for transporting cattle to and from registered animal markets for the purpose of sale and purchase within a district.The legislation shall extend to the whole of the state and the term ‘cattle’ shall apply to bulls, bullocks, cows, heifer, calves, male and female buffaloes and buffalo calves.(With PTI inputs)