Despite stern warnings from the police, a large number of people took part in cock fighting and gambling during the Sankranti festival in Anakapalle district.
During three days (January 14, 15 and 16), the days of Bhogi, Sankranti and Kanuma, the district police have registered 101 cases related to cock fight betting and gambling, of which 49 cases are related to cock fight. Police have arrested 345 people for their alleged involvement in all the cases and seized around Rs 3.07 lakh from them.
According to Anakapalle police, 49 cases of cock fighting were registered in the district during three days and 123 cocks were seized. The organizers and punters have preferred agricultural areas, mango orchards and outlying areas from their villages for conducting these games. However, the stakes placed in these games were not high. Police have also come to know that many punters have gone to Godavari district to take part in these cock fights.
Meanwhile, 52 cases were registered for allegedly indulging in gambling (card games), ‘hooliganism’, a traditional betting game and betting money on some other sports.
According to the police, out of 101 cases, 13 cases were registered in S.Raivaram, 11 in Nakkapalli mandal and 10 in Kasimkota mandal. Similarly, such cases have also been reported in Achuthapuram, Yelamanchali (Rural), Payakarapeta, Kotlavuratala, Chodavaram and some other areas.
During the days of Bhogi and Kanuma, about 40 people were booked for drunken driving in many areas. The police, along with Special Enforcement Bureau (SEB) officials, have conducted raids at several places to bust ID rack manufacturing sites.