Davangere: The Honnali police in Davangere district has decided to send DNA samples of an 8-year-old male buffalo (and its mother) in order to settle an ownership dispute between residents of two villages. Davangere SP Hanumatharayappa confirmed their decision to opt for a DNA test.
According to the Honnali police, who are investigating the case, villagers of Haranahalli (in Shivamogga) and Belimallur are in a dispute over a male buffalo that was donated to the Belimallur village’s deity.
The donated buffalo went missing nearly two years ago until a similar-looking buffalo recently turned up at Haranahalli village in Shivamogga. The locals of both villages approached the Honnali police in Davangere, who in turn decided to opt for a DNA test.
According to Belimallur villagers, the mother of the disputed buffalo still resides in their village and therefore, DNA samples can be collected from it. Earlier, Honnali MLA Renukacharya had also demanded such a test to verify the claims and settle the matter. Now under pressure, police officials have decided to carry out a DNA test on both the buffaloes.
