Guwahati: The Nagaon Police has registered a suo moto FIR following a complaint from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India regarding illegal buffalo fights that were reportedly held at Raha in Assam’s Nagoan district during Magh Bihu.
The complaint, which included video evidence, alleged the occurrence of illegal buffalo fights on January 17 and 21 within the police station’s jurisdiction.
In an order dated December 17, 2024, the Gauhati High Court prohibited buffalo fights within the state, recognizing their violation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (PCA), 1960.
The FIR was registered by Raha police under sections 3, 11(1)(a), (l), (m)(ii), and (n) of the PCA Act, 1960, and sections 189, 121, 325, and 291 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, against the organizing committee and individuals involved in conducting the buffalo fights.
According to PETA, at least eleven illegal buffalo fights were held in Ahatguri, Ranthali Field, and Kalikajari Mikirbheta in Morigaon; Barapujia and Moukhati in Nagaon; and Rang Ghar Bakori and Zerenga Pathar of Sivasagar district on and around the festival of Magh Bihu.
PETA India has filed complaints and strongly urged the police to register FIRs against the organizers and participants.
“PETA India has thanked the Raha police for stopping a buffalo fight and for filing an FIR against organizers of such illegal events. We urge the Morigaon, Nagaon, and Sivasagar Police to investigate illegal animal fights that took place within their respective jurisdictions to ensure accountability and prevent further violations of animal protection laws,” says PETA India Cruelty Response Coordinator Sunayana Basu.
“We urge authorities to intensify enforcements to prevent buffalo fights and continue to hold buffalo fight organizers accountable for their actions,” she said.
In response to petitions filed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, the Gauhati High Court on December 17, 2024, quashed the Assam government’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) dated December 27, 2023, which had permitted buffalo and bulbul bird fights during a specific period in January.
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PETA India emphasizes that such fights are inherently cruel, causing immense pain and suffering to the animals involved. These practices directly contradict the core tenets of ahimsa (non-violence) and compassion, which are deeply ingrained within Indian culture and tradition.
