VIJAYAWADA: Neither the orders of Andhra Pradesh high court nor the ban imposed by the state government could stop the cockfights held across the state during Sankranti.
Right from Vijayawada city to remote areas in Krishna district, people celebrated Sankranti on a grand note with cockfights.
Police, who initially took firm actions against cockfights and demolished the arenas, later failed to control the organisers. Around 65 big cockfight arenas were arranged in Nuzvidu area alone in Krishna district.
Gundata, lona bayata, gavvalata and other traditional gambling activities also continued at villages in Kaiakulur, Kalidindi, Mudinepalli mandals in the district.
Covid-19 protocols were ignored at the arenas and spectators gathered in huge numbers without wearing masks. Huge play arenas were arranged at Bhavanipuram, Payakapuram and on other city outskirts in Vijayawada in the name of ‘traditional’ Sankranti celebrations. Huge banners of ministers and people’s representatives were erected at the venues. Politicians attended the cockfights as guests in city. Traditional dimky pandem (cockfight without knives) were conducted at Sankranti sambaralu initially and it later gave way to gambling activities when politicians left the venues. Police were mere spectators at cockfight arenas who made announcements at venues not to encourage cockfights.
Meanwhile, animal lovers fumed at the police ‘inaction.’ “Cockfights are conducted openly ignoring the court orders. It is estimated that around 9,500 roosters are brutally killed in cockfights in the district. Prohibited sharp knives are also used. Police failed to control the game,” said Tejovant Anupoju, an activist of Help to Animals Society.
Meanwhile, police in Rajahmundry urban, and East and West Godavari districts failed to control cockfights. Events were filmed through drone cameras and shared in order to facilitate betting.
