Guwahati: After nine years, buffalo fight organized

Guwahati: After a gap of nine years, traditional ‘Moh-juj’ (buffalo fight) was organized as part of ‘Magh Bihu’ celebrations in Assam on Tuesday and Minister Principal Himanta Biswa Sarma witnessed the event. . At Ahotguri in Morigaon district. They have organized buffalo drives in various parts of the state, including Ahotguri and Sivasagar, during the harvest festival of Magh or Bhogali Bihu by the Ahom government. The practice was suspended in 2014 following a Supreme Court order condemning it for the injuries it caused to the animals. Apart from the buffalo fight, the bulbul bird fight is also part of the traditional celebration of Magh Bihu and is suspended during this period. Both the events were repeated this year as per the standard operating procedures (POEs) established by the state government, and as per tradition the Bulbul bird festival celebrated on the lunar day coincided with Makar Sankranti. Sarma said in Ahotguri, “Bulbuli (bird bulbul) and ‘Mooh Judge’ are becoming successful in the state after eight or nine years. And I am proud to witness it again.” This allows organizers and buffalo owners to sign off on standard operating procedures and ensure that no harm is caused to the animal Sufran”, he said. Organizers of the buffalo fight in Ahotguri said around 50 couples will participate in the event, which will be counted along with a trophy for the winner. The POE on culling buffaloes and animals, published after a decision of the state cabinet last month, focuses on the safety of the animals, including a ban on the use of drugs or punitive weapons to control the animals. The CM, who watched Bulbul’s fight on Monday, had written, ” “In December 2023, the Cabinet of Assam approved a protocol detailing the process to carry forward this ancient tradition of Bihu,” he said.