The Gauhati High Court has taken special cognizance of the growing menace of stray dogs and other animals on roads. Based on an earlier important directive of the Supreme Court, the court has recently registered a suo motu case on the issue.
In this regard, notices have been issued to the governments of Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh, along with various concerned departments. The court has directed all the state governments to clarify their stand and submit detailed affidavits at the next hearing.
It may be noted that children and the elderly have long been facing problems due to attacks by stray dogs on various roads of the city. On the other hand, the free movement of cattle and buffaloes on national highways and expressways has often led to serious road accidents.
The Supreme Court had also mentioned in its earlier directive that such incidents pose a threat to public safety. In that context, what measures the concerned states take to ensure the safety of citizens will now be closely monitored.
