Despite an order by the Orissa high court and massive awareness drives undertaken by the Orissa government, hundreds of animal were on Thursday slaughtered at different Devi Peeths (shrines of female gods) in the state, even as tension mounted at some other places as priests prepared for late-night animal sacrifice.
At Bhagabati temple under Banpur police station in Khurda district, nearly 90 km from here, prohibitory order was issued under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) as a section of the temple priests reportedly insisted for continuing the ritual of animal sacrifice.
At least three platoons of armed police forces were sent to the place to ensure that the HC order was adhered to and no animal sacrifice made.
Meanwhile, making mockery of the state government’s awareness drives against animal sacrifice, hundreds of goats and sheep were butchered at several shrines in Sundergarh, Kalahandi and Bolangir districts.
The HC, while hearing a petition on October 5, had directed the Khurda district administration to take strong actions against animal sacrifice during Dussehra at Bhagabati temple. “This time, the district administration is serious to stop animal and bird sacrifice on Mahasthami day at Bhagabati shrine,” Khurda district collector Hrusikesh Tripathy said.
Sources said — unfazed over the hue and cry against animal sacrifice — priests at Puri has decided to go ahead with the custom at Bimala temple.
Bimala temple is located inside the 12th Centruy Sri Jagannath temple.