Dispute over pigeon catching in Ferozepur, one booked
Ferozepur, April 20, 2024: Perhaps the first of its kind case, when we have heard of land, and property disputes, the Ferozepur police booked one person over an alleged disagreement on catching a pigeon at Guruharsahai police station.
Added here, there was also the incident of a dispute over pigeons leading to a Sangrur man’s murder in January 2021 and a man getting life imprisonment for murder over pigeon racing (Kabootar-baazi) in Muzaffarnagar. There was also a dispute over a pigeon leading to assault when 7 persons were booked during March 2023. Pigeon keeping, popular in the Mughal era, still flourishes in Old Delhi, where many enthusiasts follow the sport. It is a rich man’s hobby. The pigeon became the symbol of certain cities. No other bird has such importance. There were also pigeon clubs like we have football clubs these days. People used to decorate the tails and wings of pigeons. Such altercations are rare but inevitable in pigeon keeping.
As per the information, the incident took place, when the son of the complainant, Harjinder Singh was playing with the villager's boys near the river bridge, and some child informed that Harjinder Singh's alias Dougi was beating Harman Singh over pigeon catching. When the complaint reached the spot, his son Harman Singh was weeping and he took him to the residence of Harjinder Singh on asking the reasons, he went inside and brought ‘khanda’ and attacked his head. On shouting, Mangal Singh, the father of the complaint and others reached there when the accused fled away from the scene threatening dire consequences. In the meantime, the injured are reported to be admitted to the civil hospital.
On the complaint of Balwinder Singh of village Chak Chhanga Rai, Harjinder Singh alias Dougi has been booked under sections 324, 323 and 506 of IPC. However, further investigations are on and no arrest has been made.