Cow slaughter, conversions will be banned: Khanduri

Hardwar, Apr 16: Uttarakhand Chief Minister B C Khanduri has said his government would enact a legislation to ban cow slaughter and religious conversions in the state.

''A legislation to ban cow slaughter and religious conversions would be enacted,'' the Chief Minister yesterday said while addressing a meeting of the sant community organised here.

He expressed concern at the rising poplulation on the banks of the river Ganga and Yamuna.

''The state government will soon formulate a comprehensive policy to keep the rivers of the state pure and clean,'' he said.

Flaying the policies of the erstwhile Congress government, the Chief Minister said the area of the agricultural land in the state was shrinking.

''The state government will now see to it that agricultural land is not acquired for setting up industries,'' he added.

Major Gen (retd) Khanduri also assured that no more licenses for liquor shops would be issued in the state.

He said the government would pay fullest respect to the sentiments and suggestions of the religious teachers and would try its best to develop the state as Dev Bhoomi (the land of the gods) in consonance with its spiritual character and traditions.

UNI