The release of ₹2,000, ₹500 and ₹200 notes helped the cockfight organisers and punters, who bet ₹50,000 and above in stakes.
Expecting cash crunch during the festivities, punters maintained huge balances to play the game. Organisers carried up to ₹3 lakh in big denominations in their pockets and made spot payment at the venues.
Though ATMs ran dry, the fights were organised in a big way and huge amount changed hands in the last few days.
Group clashes were reported in some villages over the fights. However, no police cases were booked.
Violating the courts’ orders, the fights were conducted with knives. Officials remained mute spectators as the blood sport was organised at several places even in urban areas.
The green pastures turned red with many a rooster dying after the fierce battle and the visitors enjoying the game.
Public representatives, students, traders, industrialists, realtors, celebrities, women and locals participated in big numbers. Heavy crowds were seen at the courts at Eluru, Palakol, Narsapuram, Akiveedu, Mummidivaram, Gokavaram, Rajanagaram, Peddapuram, Kankipadu, Kalidindi, Kaikalur, Hanuman Junction, Bhimavaram, Tanuku and other places.
Mummidivaram MLA Datla Subbaraju, Unguturu MLA Veeranjaneyulu, Denduluru MLA Chintamaneni Prabhakar and Polavaram MLA M. Srinivas inaugurated the fights. Penamaluru MLA Bode Prasad, MLC Yelamanchili Babu Rajendraprasad and other leaders also participated in the game.
“Like previous years, we conducted the game and the response was overwhelming. We are organising cockfights but in accordance with the directions of the court, and we have not violated the orders,” an organiser of Godavarru village in Krishna district said.
The police conducted raids on the gamblers in West Godavari and Krishna districts and seized some cash. They took the gamblers into custody and booked cases against them.
There was a heavy demand for roosters during Sankranthi this year. They were being sold at ₹10,000 to ₹30,000 and the organisers fixed ₹10,000 to ₹25,000 to participate in ‘Kodi Pandelu’ for one game. Bets ranged between ₹1 lakh and ₹3 lakh and the meat of the roosters was sold at ₹1,500 and above in the villages.
“We came from Hyderabad and enjoyed the game. My brother lost ₹62,000 in two games and won one game and got ₹50,000. It depends on luck and we enjoyed it,” said a punter V. Srujana, a housewife.
