Mulki Arasu Kambala runs into trouble with Animal Welfare Board of India

MANGALURU: The Mulki Arasu Kambala is also likely run into trouble with Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI).
Peta director veterinary affairs Dr Manilal Valliyate said the Kambala race violated several laws, including a Supreme Court ruling and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960, which makes it illegal to cause animals suffering.
``The inspectors appointed by the board reported that there were at least 10 violations when I got the last report. Some buffaloes had three thick ropes in their noses instead of one single thin rope to control the animal, there was slapping of buffaloes, excessive yanking etc. I will be able to give the exact nature of violations after I receive the report from inspectors on Friday,’’ said Dr Valliyate.
Those present from AWBI at Karkala were Dr Ashish Sutar, Dr Naresh Upreti, Sunil Havaldar, and Koustabh Pal.
Earlier, the AWBI had filed 21 non cognizable and one cognizable FIRs at Karkala rural police station last week, pointing out that cruelty to buffaloes were a common place during Kambala event organised at Baradi village, in Udupi district.
The Udupi District Administration had given a clean chit to Baradibeedu Kambala with the officials deputed by the district administration stating no violence had taken place. The DC had said they will await reply from Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) to its report.
Regarding Udupi Deputy Commissioner R Vishal stating that there were no violations, he said that he has not received any report from Udupi District administration. ``We are a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment & Forests and Climate Change. It all depends on how you look at the laws and the violations,’’ he said.
Kambala organisers said that the board has malafide intentions and wants to stop Kambala at any cost. ``We have taken due notice of high court order and have conducted as per its advise,’’ the organisers said.