Sec 144 clamped ahead of Sulia Yatra in Balangir

OST Bureau
Balangir,Jan 6:

A day ahead of the Sulia Festival at Khairaguda, the Balangir district administration on Monday clamped section 144 of Cr PC at the three sacrifice sites (Sana Khala, Bada Khala and Nua Khala) to ensure prevention of large scale slaughter of animals unlike previous years.

Four platoons of policemen have been deployed at the festival sites to ensure peaceful observance of the festival tomorrow.

The Balangir district administration which held a meeting with the Sulia Yatra Committee members on Sunday while requesting them to abjure the gory practice, warned of stringent actions if they defied the constitutional norms with regard to animal sacrifice.

Sources however said, the tribals were adamant and were all set to carry out animal sacrifice as part their tradition. They have so far refused to respect official guidelines which they consider undesirable interference.

Sulia Yatra is observed on the first Tuesday after the new moon day of Pausa month of the Hindu calendar at six places in Balangir every year by Kondh tribals who believe that offering blood of animals and birds to Sulia, their traditional deity, brings good harvest resulting in prosperity and happiness to their families and the community as a whole.