Many cockfight organisers betting crores of rupees during Sankranti have started preparing their fowls to test their luck this year. With only one month left for the festival, organisers are finding new arenas to conduct the fights to avoid detection.
Responding to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), the High Court reviewed the case several times from January to April and pulled up officials for failing to stop the fights.
It summoned then Chief Secretary Dinesh Kumar and DGP M. Malakondaiah and directed them to submit the list of public representatives who participated in the game.
Based on the evidence of the video footage, the police reportedly submitted the names of an MP, six MLAs, two MLCs, ZPTCs, MPTCs, corporators and other leaders.
“The police identified 4,552 places where the fights were organised. We booked 3,228 cases, arrested 7,123 persons and seized ₹53.73 lakh between January 5 and 18,” a police officer said. He said 1,463 cases were booked in the Krishna district, 925 in East Godavari, 634 in West Godavari, 71 in the Vijayawada Commissionerate, 48 in Guntur (Rural) and 38 in the Rajamahendravaram police district.
Every year thousands of cocks die during the harvest festival and the lush green paddy fields will soak in blood, particularly in West and East Godavari and Krishna districts.
Rosters are brought from various places, trained and sold at good price. The price depends on the species, colour, height, stamina, games won and fighting techniques. They are fed protein diet to increase the stamina Astrologers will come into action to predict the winning chances of the fowls.
High stakes
Crores of rupees change hands every year and visitors from different States, NRIs, celebrities, realtors and businessmen arrive in huge numbers to enjoy the game.
As the State government, the bird lovers, the animal rights bodies and the High Court have been trying to stop the game for the last few years and the police conducting raids, punters are searching for new grounds this year.
Following the directions of the court, the Revenue, the Animal Husbandry, the police and other departments are conducting awareness programmes against the bloodsport. Village, mandal and district-level committees have been constituted to stop the age-old practice.
Villagers are being briefed about the court orders and the action under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and the AP Gaming Act, 1974 through banners and posters.
During previous Sankranti we conducted 4,950 awareness programmes. This year we are taking all measures to prevent the fights, said an official.
