A protest over inadequate facilities at a Hallikar oxen exhibition in Mysuru was withdrawn after police officials assured participating farmers that their concerns would be conveyed to the administration, according to Prajavani – Mysuru.
The exhibition was organised on Friday and Saturday at a ground opposite Mahabodhi Hostel near Kukkarahalli Lake. Farmers and ox owners alleged that the organisers had failed to provide adequate drinking water, clean water and quality feed for the animals. They also said that breakfast had not been arranged for farmers who had travelled with their cattle.
As many as 62 pairs of Hallikar cattle from Mysuru, Hassan, Mandya, Bengaluru South and other parts of Karnataka were participating in the event. The protesting farmers brought the oxen onto the road and raised slogans against the authorities. They said contaminated water was being supplied and demanded better arrangements for both the animals and the people accompanying them.
The protesters also criticised the government, district administration and Dasara committee, alleging that large sums were being spent on Kambala while inadequate attention was being given to the Hallikar cattle exhibition. They demanded that an ox-cart competition be organised to encourage local participants.
The protest briefly affected traffic after the group blocked the road. Deputy Commissioners of Police Harsha Priyamvada and K.S. Sundar Raj arrived at the location and attempted to persuade the farmers to end the demonstration. A verbal exchange followed during the discussions.
The farmers had initially insisted that they would not withdraw until the Deputy Commissioner reached the spot. They eventually ended the protest after receiving assurances from officials. The incident has highlighted the administrative requirements involved in conducting public animal exhibitions, including safe water, feed, participant facilities and traffic management.
