New Delhi (Sputnik): The state government of Uttar Pradesh, which had earlier closed down illegal slaughterhouses, and also decided to levy cow welfare cess on some public sector companies, plans to set up animal shelters for cows at government buildings, not in use. It issued a 23-page order addressed to senior government functionaries, district magistrates and police officers and is geared towards cow protection and rehabilitation.
READ MORE: Indian Hindu Monk Leader Slammed for Police's Extrajudicial Killings Policy
The directives come at the back of instructions issued some three weeks ago by the state chief minister Yogi Adityanath asking district magistrates to put all stray cattle in fenced shelters within a week.
Earlier farmers not happy with the government's policy on cow protection had herded cattle into public schools as a mark of protest.
It also called for tagging stray animals with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags wherever possible.
READ MORE: Indian Politician Breaks Internet With Formally Joining Election Arena
The directives spoke on arrangements for tranquilliser guns for the safety of people and disposal of dead cattle in accordance with local laws. It ordered conducting of post-mortem on carcasses in cases of suspicious deaths.
The current state government has made prevention of cow slaughter and cow smuggling one among its key policies keeping in view religious Hindu sentiments.