Karnataka: Dangerous sport involving ropes and tractors held, jatra committee booked

BELAGAVI: Aigali police in Athani taluk have booked suo motu case against the office bearers of Birlingeshwar Jatra Committee of Chamankeri village for organizing dangerous rope pulling sports on Thursday, without permission.
The case has been lodged on Friday, against the president and members of the committee, tractor owners and tractor drivers under IPC Sections of 143, 279,283, 287, 336 sub-section 149.
Rope pulling is a traditional game in which a rope is pulled by people from opposite sides. However, the jatra committee of Chamankeri had organized rope pulling by tractors on the lines of Punjab, where a rope is pulled by tractors from opposite sides.
It’s a dangerous game as tractors can be toppled and create harm to drivers and people sitting on the tractor. The thrilling videos of tractor rope pulling had gone viral on social media platforms.
According to the FIR, tractor rope pulling sport was organized on Chamankeri-Athani road, creating disturbance to thousands of people visiting the jatra spot. It could have harmed the lives of people in case of a rope cut. Organizing such games without permission is an offense, the FIR said.