KAKINADA: As police in Godavari districts are in the process of destroying grounds for cockfights and booking cases against owners of such properties, organisers are taking a stand that they are only preparing grounds for conducting traditional sports like Kabaddi, badminton and so on.
As some conservation groups have approached courts and got orders against organising of cockfights, administrations of the two Godavari districts, including collectors and SPs, have issued strict instructions that grounds prepared for staging cockfights be destroyed.
In addition, some bird lovers have got “stay orders'' not to conduct such fights in their respective villages. Organisers are thus searching for alternative sites to conduct the traditional sport of cockfights.
Vempa village had once been known for organising cockfights. Many celebrities attended these during the Sankranti season. Crores were bet on the winning roosters. But, due to court orders, police are not allowing cockfights during the past three years.
However, cockfight organisers managed to conduct these fights in Degapuram village last year. But a litigation is pending in a court against the cockfight in this village. Sources say the organisers are shifting this year to Pedaamiram village in Kalla mandal of West Godavari district.
As per reports, cockfights took place in Konithiwada village also last year. But the organisers faced considerable space constrains in accommodating the gamblers in this ground. They are thus looking for an alternative ground.
Sources say three major cockfights have been scheduled at Thethali, Peda Amiram and Palakollu in West Godavari district this Sankranti. Grounds are being prepared to organise traditional games like Kabaddi three days before the Bhogi festival. On the Bhogi day, however, the ground will become a stage for cockfights.
Some organisers say no betting may take place, as people are not having any money to spare. In particular, in West Godavari district, aqua sector has been adversely affected. Incomes of aqua farmers have drastically fallen. They are selling prawns at ₹100 per kilo as against ₹300 last year.
Paddy farmers too have suffered due to Cyclone Michigan. Further, those educated are not evincing any interest in cockfights.
Another source said two grounds are being prepared in Veeravasaram mandal for cockfights, one each in the name of YSRC and Telugu Desam.
Eluru district collector V. Prasanna Venkatesh has made it clear that stringent action will be taken against cockfights and other gambling, as it is against law. He said everyone should abide by the High Court instructions.
The collector asked people to send information on cockfights or gambling in any form to a special control room on number 08812-224519. If there are any videos or photos, they can WhatsApp them to 94910 41428.
Control rooms have also been set up at Eluru District Superintendent of Police office 95503 51100, Eluru RDO office 08812-232044, Nuzvid sub-collector's office 08856-232717 and Jangareddygudem RDO office 85006 68001.
