Despite ban, preparations on for cockfights in AP
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2025-01-05 15:55 GMT
Vijayawada: With Sankranthi round the corner, organisers of cock fights are making the arrangements to conduct the betting shows involving crores of rupees at several places in the state. This is despite the ban imposed by the AP High Court in 2016.
Areas like Ampapuram near here in Krishna district, Gudivada, Bhimavaram, Konaseema etc are popular for cockfights.
The state DGP issued an order in November last, directing the unit officers to take necessary action against the organisers of cockfights. The Animal Welfare Board of India too addressed a letter to its state unit, citing the complaints against cockfights during the Sankranti festival. It sought appropriate action to stop such activities.
The state directorate of animal husbandry has also issued a memo to officials, seeking formation of teams to stop the cockfights by acting in coordination with the district collector, the SP and the revenue authorities.
Animal husbandry officials formed mandal- level teams comprising an SI, an assistant veterinary surgeon and MPDO to keep a check on plans being made for cockfights and invoke legal provisions to control their activities.
West Godavari animal husbandry joint director Govinda Raju said, “We have started forming mandal teams. Officials would visit places where cockfights are planned and attempt to stop them.
Political patronage for such gangs has been a constraint in the officials’ attempt to stop cockfights.
Based on a recent direction from the DGP, officials started checks on cockfights and bound over people and seized cocks rserved for the shows. They realised a sum of `7 lakh from them in the last few days.
Narasapuram DSP Sri Veda said, “We are on the job to avoid conduct of cockfights by binding over suspects and seizing the cocks.”
Despite all these efforts, the organisers are bent on conducting cockfights, saying that the Sankranti festival is the ideal period for the show. Andhra settlers from all over the world come back to their homes in the villages and towns to celebrate the Sankranti festival.
Pithapuram former MLA SVSN Varma kick-started the cockfights in the assembly segment represented by deputy CM Pawan Kalyan on Thursday. However, the cocks were not tied with knives.
Animal rights activists stress the need for political will to stop cockfights. Founder of the Animal Rescue Agency based in Kakinada, Gopal R Surabathula, said, “We have been pleading for booking cases under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act against the organisers, land owners and those who provide infrastructure to conduct the cockfights.”
Activists say the Godavari islands are also being readied for conducting the cockfights this time.