Source - The Indian Express
The Kohima Bench of the Gauhati High Court has stayed the Nagaland Government's order banning the import, trade and sale of dog meat in the state, after the Nagaland Government failed to file a reply on time. (Neizevolie Kuotsu Alias Toni Kuotsu and ors v. State of Nagaland and ors.)
The court passed the interim stay, hearing a petition by licensed dog meat traders. On September 14, the Court had called for an affidavit in opposition from the relevant authorities. Justice S. Hukato Swu said tha court was of the view that the ban order "may be stayed until the next returnable date".
The state was directed to make all efforts to file its reply before the next date of hearing and the matter has been listed to be taken up after the winter vacation.
The Nagaland Government had cited food safety regulations as the primary cause for the ban, but the decision was believed to have been taken under pressure from animal rights groups.