Beef ban issue likely to come up at PDP meet today

SRINAGAR: J&K Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has called an "important" party meeting this evening, where the vexed issue of beef ban in the state is likely to be taken up.

"The ministers from the party, legislators and office bearers all have been asked to attend the meeting called by the party patron," party sources said here.

The meeting is likely to discuss the political situation in the state in the aftermath of beef ban controversy.

"It is likely that the party will discuss crucial issues, including the beef ban in the meeting and may come out with its stand on the issue," the sources added.

The issue of beef ban in Jammu and Kashmir has created a divide between the ruling coalition partners, with PDP saying the prohibition cannot be accepted while the BJP is pressing for strict implementation of the 150-year prohibitory rule.

Two law officers from the state were also sacked yesterday over their alleged failure to defend the PDP government's stand in the beef ban case in the high court.

Jammu and Kashmir High Court had recently ordered that a little-known law passed in 1932 banning cow slaughter and the sale of beef in the state be strictly enforced.