Gangtok, Feb 27 (PTI) All meat shops in Sikkim will remain closed for 15 days from Friday as the state government banned animal slaughter to mark a Buddhist holy fortnight of the Tibetan calendar, a notification said.

The decision to ban animal slaughter and sale from February 28 to March 14 was taken by the Ecclesiastical Department.

Also Read | Air India Says Connection Time for Flights From Europe to Australia, South East Asia via India Reduced to 2-and-Half Hours.

The import of meat from outside the state may be permitted only under unavoidable circumstances, such as weddings, social events, and for feeding of zoo animals, the notification said, adding that the importers must seek prior permission from the department.

Shops selling fish, however, have been exempted from any restriction though it will be desirable if fish too is not sold out of respect for religious sentiments during this period, it said.

Also Read | Mahakumbh 2025: Yogi Adityanath Announces INR 10,000 Bonus, Special Medal, 7-Day Leave for 75,000 Cops on Maha Kumbh Duty.

Those found indulging in animal slaughter during this period will be penalised as per law, the notification added.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)