36 held for animal sacrifice at Kaup fest

Mangaluru: Thirty six persons were arrested in Udupi district on Wednesday for allegedly violating ban on animal sacrifice during 'Suggi Maripuja' at Kaup in the district.

The arrests were made during a raid after reports that poultry had been sacrificed at Kaup Marigudi premises during the celebrations which began yesterday, police said.

The Karnataka High Court had ordered both the district Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police to strictly ensure that animal sacrifice does not take place during the annual Suggi Maripuja, after a petition was filed in the Court against the practice.

The district administration along with Animal Welfare Board had accordingly issued ban orders on animal sacrifice at Hale Marigudi, Hosa Marigudi, and Moorane Marigudi shrines at Kaup, under the Karnataka Animal Sacrifice Prohibition Act, 1959.