Thousands defy ban, gamble millions in Andhra cockfights

Visakhapatnam: Thousands of people including NRIs thronged arenas set up across the prosperous delta areas of undivided Krishna, Prakasam, Guntur and the twin Godavari districts during the this year's three-day Sankranti festival, which concluded on Tuesday, to participate in the cockfigthts despite advisory by the Animal Welfare Board of India on receipt of complaints from PETA against cruelty meted out to the animals and court orders banning the age-old practice very often described as blood game.

Crores of rupees changed hands as the organisers made elaborate arrangements in open fields with digital screens, proper seating and parking and acceptance of the gambled amount in tokens or through digital wallets. In some places massive shamianas were erected with banners and flexes. Liquor and food were also served to the participants in the high-stake games at some places. Families also attended in large numbers who congregated in their native places to celebrate the Sankranti festival. Leaders belonging to all political parties extended their support to the organisers either directly or indirectly due to local compulsions and partly due to the impending elections.

In some places, the police cracked down on rooster fights for violating prohibitory orders and provisions of Andhra Pradesh Gaming Act, 1974 and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. In the past, the Supreme Court also upheld the orders issued by the lower courts on banning cockfights.

The fight took place, despite denial by the organisers at several places that they resorted to cruelty by tying a knife or blade to the legs of the rooster and encouraged them to fight after collecting huge amounts from the punters for betting. In some places, the betting per round went up to Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. In the fight that followed, many roosters died due to profuse bleeding after suffering injuries during the attack. Even the dead roosters were also auctioned for huge amounts as they were considered to be highly nutritious.

Animal rights activists say some people who run farms to sell roosters administer steroids and aphrodisiacs to enhance their performance in the fights. However, it is alleged that forcing them to consume steroids is harmful to their health. The roosters' diet includes almonds, cashew nuts and multivitamin drugs on a regular basis before the Sankranti festival.

The games were organised amid fanfare in and around Kaikalur, Mopadevi, Avanigadda, Nandigama, Eluru, Kakinada, Rajanagaram, Amalapuram, Mandapeta, Ravulapalem and Rajamahendravaram. Even in rural areas of Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram districts, cockfights were organised this time. In Anakapalle, a horse race was conducted in front of a large crowd.