The controversy over the date of Sendra, the tribal hunting festival, came to an end with the various factions unanimously deciding to celebrate the festival on May 19. The secretary of Dalma Shikar Samiti said the common date was taken after discussions among the various factions of the tribal community.
Confusion prevailed over Sendra as two separate tribal outfits announced separate dates for the exercise in Dalma wildlife sanctuary. While Dolma Buru Sendra Samity (DBSS) had fixed May 19 for the festival, while Dolma Buru Sendra Dishua Samity (DBSDS) was contemplating on another date.
The Dishua Samity, and Dolma Samity had also announced a separate dates – May 13 and April 28, respectively — for Sendra last year. However, the dispute was settled after the intervention of Dalma forest officials. This time too after a meeting they decided to celebrate the festival on common date.
A dozen check points at strategic locations connecting to the forest area in the two districts specifically in the places like Patamda, Pardih, Raghunathpur, Chandil, Bahragora among others, have been erected.
Forest officials have appealed to tribal people to celebrate the festival peacefully without killing any animal.