National

Northeast’s Assam Witnesses Animal Fight Scenes Again After Hiatus

Traditional bird and buffalo fights resumed in India’s remote northeast region after the Supreme Court ended a nine-year ban, despite opposition from wildlife activists.

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Northeast’s Assam Witnesses Animal Fight Scenes Again After Hiatus
Animal Fights | Photo: AP/Anupam Nath

A pair of buffaloes lock horns during a fight held as part of the Magh Bihu harvest festival at Ahotguri village, east of Guwahati, Assam.

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Animal Fights
Animal Fights | Photo: AP/Anupam Nath
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Two bulbul birds fight during the Magh Bihu harvest festival in Hajo, on the outskirts of Guwhati.

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Animal Fights
Animal Fights | Photo: AP/Anupam Nath
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A pair of buffaloes lock horns during a fight held as part of the Magh Bihu harvest festival at Ahotguri village, east of Guwahati, Assam.

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Animal Fights
Animal Fights | Photo: AP/Anupam Nath
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A buffalo runs during a fight held as part of the Magh Bihu harvest festival at Ahotguri village, east of Guwahati, in the northeastern state of Assam.

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Animal Fights
Animal Fights | Photo: AP/Anupam Nath
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A judge tries to separate two bulbul birds during a fight held as part of the Magh Bihu harvest festival in Hajo town, on the outskirts of Guwahati.

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Animal Fights
Animal Fights | Photo: AP/Anupam Nath
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A man waits with his bulbul birds to participate in a fight held as part the Magh Bihu harvest festival in Hajo town, on the outskirts of Guwahati.

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Animal Fights
Animal Fights | Photo: AP/Anupam Nath
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A bird owner waits for her bulbul bird to fight during the Magh Bihu harvest festival in Hajo town, on the outskirts of Guwhati.

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Animal Fights
Animal Fights | Photo: AP/Anupam Nath
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A buffalo is held by ropes passing through its nose as it waits for a buffalo fight, held as part of the Magh Bihu harvest festival at Ahotguri village, east of Guwahati, Assam.

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Animal Fights
Animal Fights | Photo: AP/Anupam Nath
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Villagers climb betel nut trees to get a better view of a buffalo fight held as part of the Magh Bihu harvest festival at Ahotguri village, east of Guwahati, Assam.

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Animal Fights
Animal Fights | Photo: AP/Anupam Nath
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Owners wait with their buffaloes for a fight held as part of the Magh Bihu harvest festival at Ahotguri village, east of Guwahati.