Guwahati: Following PETA India’s intervention, an FIR was registered on Monday at Jajori Police Station in Assam’s Nagaon district against an organiser and a performer accused of killing a goat and beheading a pigeon during a live stage performance.The accused have been identified as Pranjal Saikia of Sonitpur district and Dulal Bordoloi of Nagaon district. PETA India said the act was the 26th such performance and alleged that 26 other goats and pigeons had been killed in similar acts.
“The case has been registered against the event organizers, the performer, and others involved under Section 325 and Section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, as well as Sections 11(1)(a) and 11(1)(l) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960,” a press statement from the organisation read.The case was initially lodged at Dhing Police Station by Ujjal Bhuyan, who alleged that during last year’s Ras Mahotsav, Saikia killed a goat and a bird during the performance. Police said the case was transferred as the incident fell outside Dhing Police Station’s jurisdiction and was registered at the station with territorial jurisdiction.Jajori Police Station officer-in-charge Tanuj Kumar Doley said, “Pranjal, who was the performer, and Dulal, who was the organiser, were arrested during the course of the investigation based on the evidence found against them. They were charged under relevant sections of the law which were bailable and subsequently forwarded to the local court.”PETA India Cruelty Response coordinator Ishani Rathee said, “If you’re an artist who feels the need to resort to shock tactics like cruelty to animals, then it’s time to consider another job.”The organisation also recommended psychiatric evaluation and counselling for perpetrators of animal abuse. “Research shows that people who commit acts of cruelty to animals are often repeat offenders who move on to hurting other animals, including humans,” Rathee said.
