Guwahati, June 8: In a major development, the Kohima Bench of the Gauhati High Court has quashed a three-year-old Nagaland government order that put a blanket ban on the commercial import, trading of dogs and sale of dog meat in markets and dine-in restaurants.
The sale, trade and import of dog meat was banned on July 4, 2020, by the Nagaland Government through its Chief Secretary after a photograph of incapacitated dogs tied to gunny bags went viral on social media.
The judgment was made by Justice Marli Vankung after hearing a petition by three persons – Abei Zatsu, Neizevolie Kuotsu, and Ketounyuu.
The High Court said, “The petitioners have an Import/Export permit, dated 03.06.2020, issued by the Kohima Municipal Council, which allows the petitioner to import dogs to Kohima and have been earning their livelihood by selling dog meat for the past many years”.
In the recent order, the High Court said that the state or its executive officers cannot interfere with the rights of others unless they can point to some specific rule of law which authorises their acts.
The order also said that the petition was filed under Article 226 of the Constitution for issuance of the appropriate writ for violation of the petitioners’ Fundamental Rights and for violation of principles of natural justice.
