KAKINADA: YSRC leadership has cleared the line for organising cockfights in the state, in particular B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district.
MLAs of the area, headed by transport minister Pinepe Viswaroop, took up the issue on Friday after Konaseema superintendent of police Sudheer Kumar Reddy put his foot down and made it clear that no cockfight will be allowed. The SP’s worry is that if they allow cockfights, there may be a danger of arson, which Konaseema experienced after the district got named after Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
The MLAs led by Viswaroop met government adviser Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy and area MP Mithun Reddy, the party observer for Godavari districts. Konaseema district YSRC president and Mummidivaram MLA Ponnada Satish pointed out that cockfights have been the tradition during Sankranti festival since generations together. He said the MLAs of Konaseema have taken the matter to the notice of government.
Razole MLA Rapaka Vara Prasada Rao has gone on to inform reporters that nobody can stop cockfights, Gundata, playing cards and other games during the three day Sankranti festival. These have been the traditional sports for centuries. He pointed out that already large numbers of professionals have reached Godavari districts from the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Vara Prasada Rao declared that cockfights will be held in the district.
It is said the government has unofficially cleared the issue. With no uncertainty remaining, organisers have prepared various grounds in the Konaseema district for the cockfights.
