No 'harsh action' against strays till SC order: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta

DELHI: Chief minister Rekha Gupta has reportedly directed all the departments concerned not to take any "harsh action" against stray dogs till the Supreme Court pronounces its final order on the contentious issue.A three-judge SC bench on August 14 reserved its order on pleas against a two-judge bench's earlier directive to relocate Delhi-NCR strays to distant shelters.At a recent meeting, CM directed all officials concerned not to take "any kind of harsh action that may hurt the sentiments of dog lovers or harm the dogs", Indian Express quoted a senior official as saying.

"Until the Supreme Court delivers a final decision, the government will stay on ‘watch and ward’ mode,” the official told the daily, adding a massive campaign will be launched in Delhi soon for sterilising dogs on a daily basis.The past week witnessed massive protests in many parts of India, particularly Delhi-NCR, and abroad against the SC's relocation order, with people -- from celebrities to politicians to NRIs -- advocating for a humane and scientific approach like sterilisation and immunisation over mass confinement of stray dogs. By Satrajit Moitra