A cock fight was organized on the first day of Sankranti festival at Ambapuram in Krishna district on Saturday. , Photo Credit: GN Rao
Cock fights and gambling were organized in several villages around Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh’s Krishna and NTR districts on Saturday, the first day of the three-day Sankranti festival.
In blatant violation of the ban on cock-fighting and gambling, akhadas were set up in an ‘organised’ manner by organizing committees formed with the support of local leaders and elected representatives on the pretext of ‘sankranti celebrations’ at Edupugallu, Chodavaram. Ambapuram, Kondapavuluru, Gudivada and many other mandals in Krishna and NTR districts.
People thronged in large numbers to watch and participate in knife-fights and other activities in the akhada. Cockfighting rings were fortified with barbed fences so that people other than those who bet on the cocks were not allowed in. Elevated seating was arranged around the rings for people to watch the bloodsport.
At least ₹5,000 was reportedly bet on each cockfighting match, which escalated into lakhs of rupees. Also, bets were not placed by spectators for less than ₹ 500 per match.
Apart from cock fighting, gambling games like cards, roulette and others were organized in the Edupugallu akhara. The organizers also ensured that people could easily reach the akhadas through display of information on banners on the roads leading to the akhadas.
Meanwhile, the organizers have also set up makeshift toll gates and parking lots and collect parking fees for motorcycles and cars ranging from ₹50 to ₹200 depending on the proximity of the parking lot to the akhada. However, the police turned a blind eye to the extravagance surrounding the traditional bloodsport despite the ban.