Turtle is God

Villagers are chanting hymns, carrying garlands, bowls of rice and fruits and singing the praises of the turtle God.

Policemen are trying to control the crowds, but that's like herding cats and they have failed to persuade the villagers to give up the sea turtle.

‘We have asked the villagers to hand it over as it is illegal to confine a turtle, but they are refusing,’ said P.K. Behera, a senior government wildlife official.
The turtle is protected in India and anyone found keeping one without permission can be jailed for a year or more and fined.
But the faithful villagers refused to give up the reptile, saying the turtle bears holy symbols on its back and is an incarnation of Lord Jagannath, a popular Hindu deity.
‘Lord Jagannath has visited our village in the form of a turtle. We will not allow anybody to take the turtle away,’ said Ramesh Mishra, a priest of the temple.

We were thinking of a way to settle the dispute and below you'll find our solution.

TURTLE SOUP

2 Pounds of Turtle Meat (cubed) 3 Bay leaves

2 Sticks Butter (unsalted) 1/2 Tsp. Oregano

Cup All Purpose Flour 1/2 Tsp. Thyme

1 Cup Celery (diced) 1 Tsp. Course Black Pepper

2 Cups Yellow Onions (diced) 1 Shot Dry Sherry

1 1/2 Cups Tomato Puree 3 Tbs. Minced Parsley

1 Quart Beef Stock Juice of One Lemon

6 Hard Boiled Eggs (chopped fine) Salt and Pepper to Taste

In a heavy saucepan melt the butter.
When melted, add flour and cook until the flour turns a copper color.

This roux must be stirred at all times so it will not burn.

When your roux reaches the desired color add your vegetables and turtle meat and cook until the turtle is brown and vegetables are clear.

Add the tomato puree and cook for about 15 minutes on low heat.
In a stock pot simmer beef stock.
While boiling add the mixture from your saucepan

and stir until soup is mixed and roux is dissolved.

Stock should be smooth and have body.

Simmer soup until turtle becomes tender at which time

you may add your lemon diced eggs and parsley.

Each plate should be served with a shot of sherry on the side.