Animal Welfare Board draws flak from Kambala organisers

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Dec 28, 2014: The organisers of the  Baradi Beedu Kambala at Moodbidri have come down heavily upon the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) for lodging complaints of cruelty to  animals during the Kambala held recently.

The organisers contended that lodging of FIRs was nothing but an attempt  to put an end to the sport of Kambala.

 

The AWBI  has now  even pointed out violations of rules at the Arasu Kambala held at Mulki recently. Meanwhile, DK Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim has said the reports of the officers who supervised the Kambalas as per the High Court ruling, are awaited.

However, K Jeevandhar Ballal, organiser of Baradi Beedu Kambala  claimed that the  Animal Welfare Board of India has not been authorised by the High Court to supervise the Kambala. Moreover, the AWBI representatives also did not have any ID proofs, he said.
Ballal said if the revenue and police authorities who were present during the Kambala had appreciated the organisers for  holding the event by honouring the court ruling, the AWBI representatives even prevented the buffalo owners from applying vermillion and also offering theretha to the animals  on the grounds that the water  might be laced with drugs.

On the complaints that the animals had ropes tied to their nose, Ballal said it was a precautionary measure. Here it is worth recalling that the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals had said that many buffaloes had  even three tight ropes  in their nose.