Dakshina Kannada: Police on Saturday cracked down on an illegal cockfighting event at Kepu village under the Vittla police station limits, taking 16 persons into custody and registering an FIR against Puttur Congress MLA Ashok Kumar Rai for allegedly instigating and encouraging the continuation of the banned activity.
During the raid, police seized 22 roosters allegedly used for cockfighting and sharp knives (locally called balu) tied to the birds’ legs. The event was reportedly organised as part of the annual Kazhambu Jatre festivities at the Kepu Sri Ullalthi Durgaparameshwari temple in Bantwal taluk, where cockfighting has traditionally been conducted every year.
According to police sources, the Vittla police station sub-inspector had earlier issued a clear warning to the organisers that cockfighting was prohibited under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and that strict action would be taken if the event was conducted without permission. Despite this, the organisers allegedly went ahead with the event.
An FIR has also been registered against landowner Maralidhar Rai for permitting the use of his property for the illegal activity without obtaining any official approval.
On learning that police had imposed restrictions on the event, MLA Ashok Rai reportedly arrived at the spot and questioned the police action. He was quoted as saying that the cockfighting was part of a long-standing religious tradition associated with the temple festival and that no gambling or betting was involved, unlike horse racing or cricket betting. He allegedly urged police to allow the event to proceed, at least for a single day.
When informed by the sub-inspector that cockfighting was illegal irrespective of religious context, the MLA is said to have reacted angrily, asking police to inform their senior officers and stating that if arrests were necessary, he himself should be arrested. Police allege that he then stood in front and facilitated the continuation of cockfighting, leading to the case being booked against him for abetment and provocation.
The Kepu Sri Ullalthi daivasthana is believed to have a history of nearly 800 years, with cockfighting traditionally held after the annual jatre, a practice now under scrutiny due to legal prohibitions.
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