Two arrested over bullfight held at Colva

Colva: Police have arrested Mahesh Chavan from Fatorda and Vinay Fernandes from Benaulim for allegedly organising ‘dhirio’ in an open field at Colva on July 24.Police said that based on a viral video clip, they conducted a detailed inquiry.

Locals said during the inquiry that the fight was organised between two buffaloes named Gulal and Bala and it was learnt that the buffaloes are owned by Chavhan and Fernandes.The bullfight was said to have been organised in full public view. The two accused were arrested for showing cruelty to animals.Further investigation is being carried out by LPSI Raksha Naik of the Colva police station.South Goa collector Egna Cleetus had earlier ordered the formation of a special panel to combat ‘dhirios’, but bullfights continue unabated.Earlier, Maina-Curtorim police had arrested two persons for organising a bullfight. They were Menino Fernandes from Nuvem and Antonio Pacheco from Curtorim.In both instances, the accused were arrested under various sections of the BNS and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. They were subsequently released on bail.The panel set up on the collector’s order comprises mamlatdars, officers of various police stations in the jurisdictions of Salcete and Mormugao, veterinary officers, and members of animal welfare organisations.