Masjid committees meet cops before Eid

Kolkata: Cops in Kolkata and the adjoining districts have been holding meetings with imams, muezzins and mosque representatives ahead of Eid-uz-Zuha, with officials urging strict adherence to existing regulations governing animal sacrifice and public observance during the festival. Such meetings are conducted routinely before major religious festivals involving different communities. This year, however, the outreach has gained significance following a recent state govt notification reiterating restrictions on cattle slaughter under the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950, and a 2018 Calcutta HC order. Meetings have been held across Kolkata and suburbs, with senior cops and administrative officials in attendance. An officer said the meetings were intended to maintain coordination with religious representatives and ensure peaceful observance of the festival on Thursday. Nasser Ebrahim, trustee of the Nakhoda Mosque who attended a meeting, said, "The police requested that the festival of sacrifice should be observed following all govt guidelines. We have been reaching out to people with the message since then." Abbas Ali Biswas, an imam associated with a mosque in Rajarhat, said similar instructions were issued to religious figures in the neighbourhood. "Police officials asked us to cooperate with the administration and ensure that all existing rules related to sacrifice are followed. We have been urging people to adhere to all guidelines in our sermons," said Biswas.Two weeks ago, the state govt issued a public notice saying no animal, including cows, bulls, bullocks, calves and buffaloes, may be slaughtered without certification declaring the animal fit for slaughter.