From Sanjay Borkar in Margao
for Daijiworld Media Network - Goa (mb)

Margao, Dec 1: Has the election promise of the now-elected Lok Sabha member from South Goa, Francisco Sardinha, encouraged the re-emergence of bullfights ('dhiryo') in the scenario here. Many people around would think so.

While the promise made by Sardinha to have the bullfights legalized in case of his victory has remained unrevoked, the police happened to go harsh on the popular sport which has been declared illegal by a court order. Earlier this week, five police personnel including a sub Inspector were seriously injured when a mob assaulted them, while they were taking action in accordance with the court order.

In this connection the police have registered cases against Hubert Rodrigues of Colva, Sergio Rebello of Betalbatim and some other unidentified persons. But so far no one has been arrested.

When contacted in this regard, South Goa police superintendent Shekhar Prabhudesai said that although no arrests have been made, the search is on to nab those named in the cases.

He also informed that here on Reserve police will be used to take action against bullfight organizers, whenever information about the same is received, so as to avert any untoward incident.

Reserve police will assist the regular force, both in sufficient strength to outnumber the crowd, will handle the cases of bullfights, to nab the organizers and those involved. organizers and those involved.

According to Colva police, when they tried to stop the bullfights earlier this week, about a 1000-strong crowd pelted stones at them and injured many in the force, who included PSI Kapil Naik, ASI Pundalik Naik, constable Sandesh Gadkar, Basappa Harijan and Hemant Pednekar.