Srinagar: Indian authorities have withdrawn a decision to ban animal sacrifices on Eid-ul-Adha in occupied Kashmir.

According to the report of foreign news agency AP, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government had directed its forces to stop sacrificing cows, calves, camels and other halal animals in occupied Kashmir.

However, government official GL Sharma clarified that the decision to ban was misunderstood.

He said the government wanted to ensure the proper transportation of animals and prevent “oppression” during Muslim festivals.

According to a local news portal, The Kashmirwala, the law enforcement agencies had been sent a letter to ensure that the Animal Welfare Board’s rules were enforced.

GL Sharma said, “This post is not about banning sacrifice or slaughter animals.”

The Indian government had directed the citizens and police officials of Occupied Kashmir to stop illegal sacrifice of other animals including cows, calves and camels, citing animal rights laws.

It is to be noted that cow is considered sacred in Hinduism and cow sacrifice is banned in many states of India but this is the first time that sacrifice of all kinds of animals has been banned in Indian-administered Kashmir.

The Indian government’s Animal Welfare Board had ordered the police and authorities to take “necessary action” to curb “illegal animal sacrifice”.