Tension prevailed at Edupugallu village on the outskirts of Vijayawada on Saturday when thousands of locals gathered to organise cockfights. Villagers arranged an arena to conduct the banned game by erecting tents.
On receiving information, police deployed additional forces to stop the bloodsport. They arranged pickets, conducted vehicle check ups and dispersed the crowd.
Around 3 p.m., Penamaluru MLA Bode Prasad came to the venue (of the cockfights) in a procession. When the police tried to stop the crowd, the MLA reportedly entered into an argument, broke the barricades and entered the place.
Later, Mr. Prasad along with his followers inaugurated cockfights which continued till late in the night under flood lights. The organisers arranged make-shift hotels, fast food centres, snacks and parking in the village.
The organisers announced the names of the cocks such as ‘Dega’, ‘Kaki Dega’ ‘Nemali’, ‘Tella Kaki’, which were ready for the fight and announced the bet amount on each cock through the public announcement system.
MLC Yelamanchili Babu Rajendra Prasad opened ‘Kodi Pandelu’ at Godavarru village, near Kankipadu. Villagers and TDP activists participated in huge numbers.
In West Godavari district, the police registered 200 cases against the organisers and stepped up security while 850 persons were bound over in the last few days.
“The police seized 600 knives being readied for tying to cocks at the courts. We seized 15 courts at Narsapuram and Eluru on Saturday,” said M. Ravi Prakash, SP.
The organisers prevented the media personnel from entering the venue and taking pictures.
“We tried to prevent the MLA from entering the village and stop the cockfights. But he violated the court orders and launched the game. A case would be registered against Mr. Prasad and his followers,” a senior police officer said.
Organisers went ahead with courts at many places in Krishna, East and West Godavari districts.
