Surathkal Kambala gets AWBI rap

MANGALURU: Inspectors authorized by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) have lodged complaints with Surathkal police, listing 27 non-cognizable offences after watching Surathkal Arasu Kambala on Saturday and Sunday.
The AWBI had inspected two kambala events earlier.
The inspection team observed that the event had violated Supreme Court ruling and several laws, including sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Transport of Animals on Foot) Rules, 2001, Transport of Animals Rules, 1978, the Prevention of Cruelty to Drought and Pack Animals Rules, 1965, and the Performing Animals (Registration) Rules, 2001.
The Karnataka high court had, in an interim order, recently allowed kambala under certain conditions, saying there weren’t enough studies to conclude buffaloes are maltreated in kambalas.
However, the 65 non-cognizable offence complaints and one FIR filed over the three kambala events show that cruelty is inherent in Kambala events, said Peta India director (veterinary affairs) Dr Manilal Valliyate. He said the Supreme Court, in a May 7, 2014 judgment, had upheld a central government notification that bulls “cannot be used as performing animals” and violation attracts disciplinary action.
“In kambala events, the animals are subjected to fear, pain, discomfort and distress. The inspection team’s findings of three kambala events prove that cruelty is inherent in such events and no regulation can protect animals from abuse,” he added.