Despite preventive measures Sendra to go on

Ranchi, Apr 21 (UNI) With forest authorities taking measures to prevent the annual animal hunting festival, tribals today said they would, however, celebrate it on April 30.

Dalam Buru Sendra Samity (DBSS), a central body of tribals met East Singhbhum district Deputy Commissioner Nitin Kumar Kulkarni yesterday and decided to go ahead with their programme.

Talking to UNI here, the DC said this festival is held every year and the forest department has taken special care so that big and rare animals were not hunted.

''During the festival last year, one deer was killed,'' Mr Kulkarni said, adding mainly small animals often fell prey.

The DBSS delegation that called on the DC comprised tribals of Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal.

Today, DBSS convenor Demka Soy said hunting festival was a religious function of the tribal community.

''Besides worshipping our deities, ancestors, traditional weapons, including bows and arrows,'' he said, ''the week-long festival would culminate with sendra (hunting) that symbolised manhood of the male members of the community.

He appealed to the district administration to not take any harsh step to prevent their entry into Dalma Hill on April 30.

Hundreds of tribals from the three states of Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal are expected to participate in the festival.

UNI