Amaravati: Despite legal bans and repeated warnings from authorities, cockfights were held on a large scale across parts of Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday, the first day of the three-day Sankranti festival.
Currency notes changed hands as spectators placed bets on the matches organised in coastal districts, including East Godavari, West Godavari, Dr B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, Eluru, Polavaram, and Krishna.
The cockfights, backed by local politicians, drew hundreds of spectators, including prominent personalities from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and neighbouring states. Politicians, businessmen, and celebrities attended, and public representatives personally supported organisers, ignoring official warnings.
Well-trained roosters, fitted with small knives on their legs, fought amid cheers, often resulting in the death of one bird. Organisers set up generators and floodlights to hold fights throughout the night, while special galleries were arranged for women and VVIP spectators.
Some organisers defended the events, claiming they were part of Sankranti traditions and did not involve betting. They also pointed out that court rulings specifically prohibit cockfights where roosters are tied with knives.
Notable attendees included Deputy Speaker K. Raghurama Krishna Raju, MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao, and former Hyderabad Mayor T. Krishna Reddy, who watched cockfights at Pedamiram in Kalla mandal of West Godavari district.
Following directions from the Andhra Pradesh High Court to strictly prohibit cockfighting, police and district authorities increased surveillance, deploying drones and warning organisers and participants of strict action. Kakinada in-charge district collector Apoorva Bharat confirmed a district-level control room has been set up to receive complaints related to cockfights and gambling.
Superintendents of Police in West Godavari, Eluru, and Kakinada issued joint warnings, stating that no antisocial activity under the guise of festival celebrations would be tolerated. They emphasised that cockfights, card games, dice games, and all forms of gambling are strictly prohibited.
Organisers, however, continued to build sprawling arenas resembling cinema halls or cricket fields. Some venues even installed digital screens to broadcast fights live. Bouncers and CCTV cameras were deployed to maintain order, and elaborate arrangements were made for parking, spectator passes, betting tokens, and participant wristbands.
Animal rights groups had appealed to citizens not to participate in cockfighting ahead of Sankranti and urged them to report any instances to local police authorities.
Under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, Section 11(1)(m)(ii) makes it illegal to incite animal fights. Organising, managing, or offering space for such fights is also a cognisable offence under Section 11(1)(n).
With IANS inputs