Sacred bulls turn holy terrors
2001-07-10 09:49
Calcutta - Three sacred bulls have unleashed a reign of terror in a small village south of Calcutta, where four people have been gored to
death and 70 injured in the past three months.
The bulls, named Dharma, Karma and Shankar, have been in Dakhin Barasat village for years, having been donated to a temple of Lord Shiva there.
But in recent months, their behaviour has become so aggressive that villagers are wary of going out after dark for fear of a surprise attack.
"Two of the victims died instantly after Karma charged them with
his horns," said Samiul Haque, a middle-aged vegetable vendor who
has closed his shop in the local market.
Haque said the bulls regularly careered around the crowded market, injuring shoppers and smashing up stalls.
"The market is partially shut as no one knows when the bulls will arrive there. We've asked the local administration for help many times, but there's been no response," Haque told AFP
An official at the local police station said the sacred status of the bulls made any action difficult.
"The bulls have been here for more than 10 years and have been fed and worshipped by the villagers for all that term," the official
said.
"Basically, we're in a fix". - Sapa-AFP
- SAPA