West Garo Hills: FIR Registered for Pig Scalded with Boiling Water and Skinned Alive Following PETA India Intervention
After learning of extreme cruelty involving the torture and unlawful killing of a pig by a group of individuals in Tura, West Garo Hills, PETA India successfully facilitated the registration of a Suo Moto first information report (FIR) by Araimile Police Station, with directions from Superintendent of Police, West Garo Hills, who directed registration of a suo moto FIR considering the gravity of the matter. PETA India received information about an Instagram account that posted a video showing the barbaric killing of a live pig at an unlicensed and illegal meat shop. The pig is seen being doused with boiling water and appears to be skinned while still alive, conscious and screaming. Three individuals appear to be involved, with another filming the incident, while a dead pig is visible nearby. The account also features videos of pig slaughter, skinning, and meat processing.
Following a complaint from PETA India, the Superintendent of Police, West Garo Hills, Shri Abraham T Sangma, IPS, directed the local police to register a Suo Moto FIR. Accordingly, Araimile Police Station registered a Suo Moto FIR under Sections 325 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and Section 11(1)(a) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960.
Meanwhile, based on PETA India’s complaint, the Assistant Commissioner of Food Safety, West Garo Hills, issued a notice to the illegal meat shop/slaughterhouse establishment under Sections 55 and 63 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, concerning improper handling of animals and operating a business without a valid license. The suspect has been given 10 days to comply, failing which appropriate legal action will be initiated. PETA India has urged the Food Safety department officials to shut down and seal the illegal establishment.
Section 325 of the BNS, 2023, categorises mischief by killing, poisoning, maiming, or rendering useless of any animal as a cognizable offence and prescribes a punishment of imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years, or with a fine, or with both. Section 3(5) of BNS states that when several persons do a criminal act in furtherance of the common intention of all, each of them is liable for that act as if it were done by them alone. Section 11 of the PCA Act, 1960, defines “cruelty” and makes the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering upon any animal a punishable offence.
The Supreme Court has ordered that animals can be slaughtered only in licensed slaughterhouses and that municipal authorities must ensure compliance with this ruling. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughterhouse) Rules, 2001, and the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, permit the slaughter of animals for food only in licensed slaughterhouses equipped with species-specific stunning equipment.
Each vegan person spares the lives of up to nearly 200 animals per year. In addition, people who eat vegan reduce their risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Raising animals for food is also a leading cause of water pollution and water and land use, and a United Nations report concluded that a global shift towards vegan eating is necessary to combat the worst effects of the climate catastrophe. PETA India offers a free vegan starter kit for those ready to switch.
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