(IN) Fwd: Stop the Kakkoor race organisers from violating the Supreme and High Court Orders; only 72 hours left

March 9, 2008

The District Collector &

Chairman SPCA

Ernakulam

Sir,

Sub: Urgent orders to be issued to produce the relevant certificates from

cattle owners three days before the race as per orders from the

Hon.SupremeCourt of Kerala

Ref: 1. Order issued from the office of the District Collector,

Ernakulam to the Convener, Kakkoor Cattle Race (M7 – 228/03 dated

17-5-05) to file an affidavit for permission to conduct Cattle Race.

2. The 4 judgments from the Hon. High Court of Kerala regarding Cattle Race

It has been reliably understood and published in the newspapers that

the Kakkoor Cattle Races will be held on 13th of March 2008

under a newly formed organizing committee.

As per the order issued from your office (Ref.1) I understand that the

mandatory affidavit to get permission to conduct the cattle race

should be obtained at least 30 days before the event.

The Hon. High Court of Kerala has directed the Muvattupuzha R.D.O. to

personally observe the Kakkoor Cattle Race and report to the District

Collector through its order in WPC 567/04 dated 20th Feb. 2004.

The R.D.O. in his report (M 5291/03 dated 21-2-05) has given a graphic

account of how the concerned Act and Rules and the order from the Hon.

High Court of Kerala were violated by the' irresponsible and

non-cooperative' Kakkoor Cattle Race Organisers.

Following this the District Collector has given a show cause notice to

the organizers (dated 6-4-05) and on finding the explanation given by

the organizers (dated 20-4-05) unsatisfactory issued order asking them

in future to file an affidavit stating that the 4 directions issued by

the collector would be strictly complied with.

(For not complying with this order, the District Collector has banned

a cattle race in Kalloorkkadu scheduled to be conducted on 26th

November 2006).

As the organizing committee for the Kakkoor Cattle Race 2008 is formed

just a week back; violation of the order of the District Collector

referred above has already taken place.

The bullock-cart race used to be conducted on a busy road

(Piravom-Kootthattukulam) literally blocking vehicular and pedestrian

traffic for more than 5 hours. This has been taking place despite

judgments against blockade of roads for road shows and processions. In

places like Tamil Nadu where 'Rakela' Races (Cart Races) are more

common, special fields are arranged for the conduct of the same so

that the safety of the citizen and animals are guaranteed.

The mandatory certificates under Performing Animals Registration

Rules, Draught and Pack Animals Rules, Transport Rules etc. were not

produced by the Kakkoor Cattle Race Organisers and hence the

compliance certificate could not be issued during the previous years.

The Hon. Supreme Court of India while granting conditional permission

to conduct the 'Jallikkattu' has asked the District authorities to

ensure that all provisions in the Acts and Rules are to be complied

with and 3 days prior notice should be given to the AWBI to verify the

certificates and arrangements to issue the Compliance Certificate.

The

Hon. High Court of Kerala, in its last order – dated 19-12-07 in WPC

No. 37319/2007 relating to the conduct of Cattle races – has delegated

the power to ensure the implementation of Rules to the District

Collector, Police, Transport, Animal Husbandry and the local self

Government wings of the state.

As authorized by the AWBI to act in matters relating to cattle races

conducted in Kerala, I, on behalf of Idukki SPCA request you to ensure

that the following conditions are observed by the newly formed

organizing Committee of Kakkoor Cattle Race 2008.

To ensure that the mandatory filing of the affidavit and application

for permission before the District Collector for the conduct of cattle

races as per the order issued by the District Collector (Ref.1)

To Comply with the possession and production of the statutory

certificates and documents as required by the law, prior to the races.

Selection of race ground and conduct of races as per the law and

directions from the court, and in accordance with the PCA Act and

Rules.

To Intimate the AWBI at least 3 days before the completion of all

arrangements for the cattle race as stipulated in the Supreme Court

judgment so that the proper verification of certificates and documents

are done,the cart and bullocks weighed and the certificates issued as per

the Draught and Pack Animals Rules and the mandatory Compliance Certificate

issued, to the Cattle Race Organisers.

..

I request you to immediately issue orders to the race organisers and the

Thirumarady Panchayat to arrange for the inspection and validation of the

statutory certificates before three days of the race --as directed by the

Hon.Supreme Court of India --so that no violation of the Act and Rules and

the Verdicts from the Hon.Supreme court of India and the High Court of

Kerala.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely

A.G. Babu

Secretary

Idukki, SPCA

March 12, 2008

I am delighted to inform you that, thanks to the efforts of several people,

main among them being Mr. A. G. Babu, the Collector of Ernakulam, the most

efficient Mr. Mohammed Hanish, has stopped the races. An announcement on the

local TV channels just aired a few minutes ago made it clear that the

Collector insists that the Supreme Court ruling will be enforced.

I spoke to Mr. Hanish just now to congratulate him on his stand and he has

confirmed the announcement.

One more small victory, but it all adds up...

Regards

S. Chinny Krishna

aapn [aapn ]On Behalf Of AG

BABU

Sunday, March 09, 2008 8:14 PM

aapn

(IN) Fwd: Stop the Kakkoor race organisers from

violating the Supreme and High Court Orders; only 72 hours left