SC status quo gives boost to cockfight preparations

New Delhi/ Eluru: The Bench of Chief Justice headed by the CJ, Justice Dipak Mishra, on Friday ordered a status quo regarding cockfights in the Telugu states directing officials not to conduct joint inspection or raids. The Chief Justice also directed that no 'arrests' of the birds should be made.

Referring to the previous order of the Apex Court, the CJI said it would remain in force and hence anyone wishing to seek changes to it should approach the High Court. The petition was filed by lawyer Galla Satish on behalf of the petitioner, Ramakrishnam Raju. This effectively means that the game is not up for the birds and they could go ahead and fight-till-death to the amusement of the spectators and gamblers thereby.  There is a hue and cry against the cockfights in Andhra Pradesh and not just animal rights' activists but also commoners have taken exception to the conduct of the 'game'.

 he gambling network is very effective around these and an estimate tells us that last year around Rs 200 crore was involved in the game. This year it is expected to double with the active involvement of the politicians, both in power and out of it.

Meanwhile, West Godavari district administration and police officials are on the alert to ensure that cockfights organised strictly in accordance with the Supreme Court order. According to reports, the organisers of the cockfights are now making their arrangements in Vempa, Srirampuram villages of Bhimavaram mandal.

During the three-day festival of Sankranti, many rings are expected to be opened in upland and delta areas. After the Supreme Court verdict, the villagers of Vempa, Srirampuram in Bhimavaram rural mandal have expressed their joy by bursting crackers. They said that no knives in the cockfight and the traditional cockfight will go on.

West Godavari SP M Ravi Prakash said that the police administration will follow the directions of Andhra Pradesh High Court’s directions to stop the cockfight which were upheld by the Supreme Court. “The Supreme Court directed not to arrest the rooster rearing persons and farmers as directed last year," he said.