Gauhati high court bans buffalo fights across Assam
GUWAHATI: The Gauhati high court has placed an interim ban on buffalo fights across the Northeast state of Assam.
Gauhati high court ordered administrations in all districts of Assam to ensure a total ban on buffalo fights Moh-juj.
The Gauhati high court passed this order while hearing a petition filed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India.
Buffalo fights are regarded as an essential Bihu-time custom in Assam.
PETA India announced filed a lawsuit in the Gauhati high court seeking ban on buffalo and bulbul bird fights in Assam.
Buffalo and bulbul fights were recently held in Assam after a gap of nine years.
Moreover, the Gauhati high court also directed the Assam government to file an action-taken report with the court in connection with the matter.
The Assam government has been asked to file its report by February 06.
"As evidence, PETA India submitted investigations into these fights which reveal that terrified and severely injured buffaloes were forced to fight through beatings and that starved and intoxicated bulbuls were made to fight over food," the animal rights group said in a statement.