http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080038364
Saturday, January 12, 2008 (Guwahati)
While the Supreme Court has banned a bull sport in Tamil Nadu, Assam prepares for the State's biggest buffalo duel, a cruel and dangerous show of strength and honour.Bihu is celebrated with fervour in Morigaon district of Assam and buffalo fight is a high-point of the festival there.The tradition apparently comes down from the days of Ahom Kings. Last year filmmaker Gautam Baruwa was also there to shoot it.Barua said, ''Its very dangerous to shoot this film but people cooperated and the district administration also helped us. People here say they want to retain the culture of the Ahom days.''Describing the sport Barua said, ''During Bihu they believe that buffalos are the most ferocious and can be made to fight. Often there are horrible accidents, buffalos die and people die. The owners have died, its very dangerous.''There have been some feeble attempts to ban the fight and may be the SC can look eastward now after the bull sport ban.