The government law that was enforced in May aimed to stop animal trade at livestock marts. This means that any trade of cattle, buffalo or camel in the state was illegal.

With annual beef exports totalling $4bn (mostly buffalo), the effect of the ban has been devastating for cattle dealers. The cattle trade is mainly conducted by the Muslim minority.

Cows are considered sacred among the Hindu population in India. An intensified campaign against beef consumption has been seen in India since May 2014 when the Hindu nationalist government came to power.

It has been reported that vigilante groups who are attacking cattle dealers have been set up across India in an attempt to halt any trade of livestock. In the past three years, over 20 people have been killed over smuggling cows for slaughter.

Cow slaughter is banned in 18 of India’s 29 states, with punishments for the “crime” anything up to 10 years’ imprisonment.

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