Chief minister Mamata Banerjee with MPs Dinesh Trivedi and Saugata Ray during North 24 Parganas districts administrate meeting in Barrackpore. (Photo: PTI)

Kolkata: Sending out a strong message to cow vigilantes, chief minister Mamata Banerjee has instructed government officials to defy the Centre’s ban on the sale of cows in animal markets for slaughter.

Addressing an administrative meeting at Barrackpore in North 24 Parganas on Tuesday, she also ordered the police to take strong action if anyone tries to do excess on the pretext of the ban.

“The law in the name of animal slaughter totally falls under the state power. You do not need to abide by the law until the state passes any such enactment. The police must take strong action if anyone creates any trouble over this issue in public,” she told the administration officials at Sukanta Sadan.

Urban development minister Firhad Hakim, food supplies minister Jyotipriyo Mullick and several others were present at the meeting.

Ms Banerjee added, “I wish the holy month of Ramzan be observed peacefully. All should maintain that there is no trouble. I have the right to perform Durga puja, Kali puja, celebrate Christmas and observe Ramzan and Id. Everyone has the right to practice their faith and religion. All have to keep in mind that there will be no trouble. We have to take care for all.”

The chief minister’s caution came a day after she vented anger over the Centre’s move and called it “unconstitutional, undemocratic and unethical”.

But by openly asking the government officials not to follow the Centre’s order she only appears to have mounted pressure on the Modi government on the controversial issue.

Ms Banerjee also cracked a whip on the police for poor law and order situation. While going on warpath with the Centre over cow vigilantism she asked the police to tackle cattle smuggling as the district is located along the Indo-Bangla border.

“Cattle smuggling needs to be stopped at any cost. The police has to take stern action to end it,” she told the cops of different police stations and their superiors at the meeting. She also pulled up the police over the forcible control of factory land of a shipping company in Titagarh.

“There is a factory which builds ships. I had earlier asked you not to disturb it. Remember? Still there is a complaint of encroachment. Who are doing it? Which group? Why is the police not performing its duty? Who is in charge of Titagarh police station? Who is the IC, Surajit (the state DGP)?” Ms Banerjee wanted to know angrily.

She made it clear that no industry should be disturbed because it generates jobs for the unemployed.

As IC Titagarh M. Haque stood up and introduced himself, the chief minister rapped him about his failure to tackle the encroachment.

“Has an industry to be closed for someone who extorts money? Tell me who is the miscreant?” she asked him before ordering him to take action against the miscreants.

Ms Banerjee also cautioned the Trinamul elected representatives to tackle faction feud.

She also asked Kamarhati Municipality to finish the construction work of Skywalk near Dakshineshwar Kali temple before Kali puja.