GUWAHATI: What a Supreme Court order could not totally do, Covid scare did — put a halt to buffalo fights this Magh Bihu.
A surge in Covid cases amid Omicron scare compelled most of the villagers’ groups — which used to organise buffalo fights unofficially — to give up the tradition completely in and around Ahatguri in central Assam’s Morigaon district.
The fights are usually organised in the Brahmaputra Valley in Assam to commemorate Makar Sankranti.
In Baidyabori in Morigaon, however, there was an attempt to “secretly” organise buffalo fights but the administration blocked the plan after getting information from a section of villagers. Police had to resort to a baton charge to disperse emerging crowds.
A group of Gowals at Kampur in nearby Nagaon district, however, managed to defy the ban but could not draw crowds.
Morigaon deputy commissioner Prakash Ranjan Gharphalia said, “We have been very strict as far as buffalo fights are concerned.
Besides the court’s order, Covid can worsen due to such gatherings.” Around 5,000 to 10,000 people would enjoy buffalo fights in central Assam earlier where several noted personalities were also invited.
