Chikkallur jatra begins, cops create awareness against animal sacrifice

Even as devotees started descending in thousands on Chikkallur, near here, on Monday, to be part of the five-day jatra, Police personnel had beefed up surveillance to check animal sacrifice.

The department has put up banners and posters to create awareness among the devotees against animal sacrifice, while some officials, including, Circle Inspector of Police Kiran Kumar, were seen addressing informal meetings of devotees at vantage points — explaining about the inhuman practise and the legalities related to the ban.

He said, there was a ban on animal sacrifice at religious places and places of worship and the authorities concerned were following a High Court order to implement the ban strictly. “Cases would be filed against devotees found in possession of livestock such as sheep, goats and cocks. Carrying of weapons, including knives, to the place of the jatra is also illegal,” he said.

He said, Police personnel were keeping a vigil for any violations of the ban.

Besides, he also stressed on checking the incidence of crime against the devotees. He said, women participating in the jatra should wear minimum jewels, to keep chain-snatchers and robbers away.

Five inspectors, 10 sub-inspectors, 15 head constables, 350 constables, eight platoons of District Armed Reserved Police force, two platoons of KSRP force and 250 home guards have been deployed for providing security and to maintain law order throughout the festivities. “Police personnel are criss-crossing the village, wherever devotees are found in large numbers. However, if the devotees come across any suspicious persons or object, they should alert the Police department,” he said.

The Police department has also streamlined vehicular traffic as well as parking facilities to make the jatra hassle-free, he claimed.