TD seeks immediate ban on cockfights

Vijayawada: Telugu Desam state president Kinjarapu Atchannaidu came down heavily on gambling and cockfights being organised as part of Sankranti festivities. He accused ruling YSR Congress of encouraging cockfights and gambling during the festival, which is against rules.

Atchannaidu said despite restrictions imposed by police department, cockfights, gambling and other activities have gone on unabated at various places in AP on Saturday, the first day of the three-day Sankranti festival.

According to reports on Saturday, betting went on at various cockfight rings and gambling centres at Ampapuram in Bapulapadu mandal and Edupugallu in Penamaluru mandal.

Sources said local Gannavaram MLA’s followers are organising playing card sessions, Gundata and other gambling activities, besides cockfights.

The TD state president regretted that while Sankranti must depict culture and tradition of Telugu people, it has been turned into gambling festival. He demanded that Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy make public the results of Anti-Gambling Act, which the CM enacted two years ago.

Atchannaidu wanted police to stop cockfights and gambling during the next two days, so that common people can celebrate Sankranti festival smoothly.