LAHORE: No individual or non-governmental organisation is allowed to collect the hides of sacrificial animals without obtaining a No Objection Certificate from the district administration, according to an official document.
In what is an oblique reference to political workers, the police and Rangers will be empowered to arrest people who forcibly collect animal hides and they will be penalised under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997. The federal government has directed provincial governments to impose section 144 in all districts to avoid clashes over the collection of animal hides on the eve of Eidul Azha in a 10-point code of conduct issued by the interior ministry’s National Crisis Management Cell.
Charity organisations have to apply for permission to collect hides and will be required to attest in writing that they do not have links to any banned outfit. People shall deposit the hides at specified locations of their free will. Provincial governments will assign special powers to police, Rangers and revenue officials on eid to avoid any violent incident. The Intelligence Bureau has been instructed to forward data on individuals and organisations which collect hides by force. The use of loudspeakers to solicit animal hides has also been banned.
Businesses have to ensure that they purchase hides from those authorised to collect them. The Punjab home department has issued a circular to the inspector general of police and his subordinates with directions to implement the guidelines and present a report on action taken.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 4th, 2011.
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