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Monday, March 17, 2014
VOL. 13 ISSUE 6
Election special: Did Aam Aadmi Party’s rallying call fall on deaf ears? PAGE 4 & 5
Health special: An Observer checkup on the city’s deteriorating health PAGE 6
Film workers’ union protest turns violent after policemen lathicharge unruly crowd Anannya Sarkar & Bhaskar Dutta A demonstration held by a city film workers’ union, protesting against the formation of a new union, turned violent after police intervention. According to policemen present at the scene, the conflict occurred after hundreds of members of the Karnataka Film Workers Union (KFWU) protested against the proposed formation of a new labor union by former Dance Directors Association President, Rajesh Brahmavar. (continued on page 3)
Motorcycles vandalized during the lathicharge by policemen in Gandhi Nagar
Policemen charging a group of protestors in Gandhi Nagar with their lathis to bring the situation under control
Rare fish and pedigree dogs sold at market Bhaskar Dutta
In a clear violation of existing animal welfare rules, businessmen in one of the city’s largest markets continue to keep a large number of animals under extremely unhygienic and unhealthy conditions. Russell Market, which is located near the Shivajinagar Bus Station, one of Bangalore’s most populated areas, is the location of a flourishing and extremely profitable trade in animals which are illegally housed by the dozens in small, airless cages and later sold as pets on exorbitant prices.
In recent times, apart from being the focus of much media attention and scrutiny following the outbreak of a fire that engulfed many shops in the area, the market has also been under the scanner for its conspicuous and illegal activities regarding the animal trade. Media reports dating back to 2011 have focused attention on the manner in which authorities turn a blind eye to this blatant disregard of animal welfare laws. Kiran Sikander Rudra, General Manager, People for Animals, Bangalore says, “These dealers in Russell Market
are breaking every single rule in the book. The manner in which these animals are being kept and treated is absolutely shameful. “ One of the major attractions and sources of income in the area are the ‘Wet Shops’- which sell many varieties of fish, many of which are kept in shoddily constructed aquariums within the confines of the market. According to Rudra, these Wet Shops are the planned end-points for a major fish smuggling ring which begins tracing its operations through Singapore, Chennai and Bangalore. The fish which are smuggled in this
manner and sold for high prices are referred to as ‘parrot fish’. Rudra adds that the reason why these fish attract so much attention and such high prices is because of the fact that their natural coats are chemically stripped off and then replaced with artificial colours. “In order to increase their popularity and saleability in Indian markets, these fish are often tattooed with Om signs. This is a total contravention of the law.” Syed, the owner of a shop and aquarium called ‘Zooland’ confirms that these fish are indeed sold in the city by
his establishment as well as others in the Russell Market. “I used to sell the tattooed parrot fish. The process of tattooing these fish is carried out in Singapore. From there they are brought to Chennai and then they finally come to us. At present I don’t have any of them. The main problem with these fish is that the artificial colours soon wear off. However, when they are brought to the city I will be the first to know. Mine is the largest in the wet shop business here”, says Syed. Each of these fish are sold for Rs 1,200, he adds. (continued on page 3)