Actors Kill Pig, Eat Body Parts During Play in Odisha’s Ganjam; Organiser Arrested

Berhampur : Local police have arrested a man in connection with a disturbing incident of animal cruelty during a play in Odisha’s Ganjam district. The incident, which involved the gruesome killing of a live pig on stage, sparked widespread outrage and condemnation.

The incident occurred on November 24 during the Kanjianala Yatra in Ralab village of Hinjili block.

The accused, identified as Bimbadhar Gouda, was apprehended from the Khalikote area after the Forest Department filed a case. A viral video showed five actors portraying demons in the play Ramayan tying a live pig to a ceiling and cutting open its stomach with a knife. One actor further chewed a part of the animal’s intestine to add “realism” to the performance.

The controversial act, sponsored by the Bajarangi group of Hinjilicut, also featured two actors dressed as monkeys playing with venomous snakes.

Berhampur Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Sunny Khokar confirmed the arrest, stating, “We have arrested one organiser and are investigating to nab others involved in this case of animal cruelty.”