From Our Correspondent
JOWAI: Bullfights organised in various pockets of Jaintia hills district have attracted hundreds of people not only as spectators e but as gamblers to bet on the animal fights.
“Bullfights is illegal as it is cruelty to animal”, said a Veterinary Officer. There is an Act to prevent any cruelty to animals and anyone committing such crimes should be charged with animal cruelty”, he added.
Bullfights in Jaintia hills is being organised by a group of people who have changed the traditional bullfights into a big business in the district.
Such animal fights is witnessed regularly at Hynniawmer, Soomer, Sookilo and various places within Khliehriat Sub-division with minimum spectators of not less than 300 in each occasion.
Cash prize ranging from Rs. 10000 to Rs 1 lakh is paid to the bull owners, while spectators put their money to bet on the animal fights. The Organisers also arrange dice gambling in the venue where the prize for the animal is generated.
Some of the concerned residents of Jaintia hills have complained of their children stealing money from home to go betting on the animal fights and also put their money on dice gambling.
A resident of Mihmyntdu village informed that many young children have been badly affected by the bullfights organised near Dhar Service Station at Mihmyntdu.
He informed that some lower and upper primary students were found absent from schools to witness the bullfights organised nearby the village and also blamed the headman for allowing such activities.
Based on the complaint lodged by the Jaintia Youth Federation (JYF), the District Administration has taken up step to ban bullfights in the district, however for reason best known to the Deputy Commissioner, till date no prohibitory order has been released. According to JYF President, P. Majaw, the illegal bullfights is being organised everyday openly nearby the Highway.
He also informed that even the Jowai Police could not conduct any raids in those areas as no senior officer is taking any responsibility.
It may be mentioned Jowai Police had once conducted raid at Hynniawmer though no one was arrested and they could only seize gambling apparatus and some amount of cash.
