Crores riding on roosters

Visakhapatnam: Defying the orders of the High Court and Apex Court on conducting cockfights, some people conducted cock-fights in the city and many parts of north Andhra with  crores of rupees on the outcome of the blood sport which is now illegal. 

On the occasion of  Bhogi, some political leaders, entrepreneurs and tycoons  participated in cock-fights at Ramakrishnapuram area under Arilova police station limits in the city.  

According to sources, cock-fights will continue in the city till January 16. Over Rs 30 to Rs 50 crore betting transactions are likely to take place during the three-day cock-fights in Visakhapatnam city.

Expressing displeasure over the unmindful consequences, the city is being turning pinto a place for cock-fights, senior leader of YSRCP Peethala Murthy Yadav said that despite the directive of the courts and police, some TDP leaders, organisers and punters from some parts of the city are conducting cock-fights  at Arilova area citing that cockfights is not a crime and they are continuing the age old tradition.

Yadav alleged that the city police had failed to prevent the bloody sport and unable to arrest the organisers and punters and seize the huge gambled money. Leaders and activists of YSRCP staged a protest in front of Arilova police station demanding the cops stop the cock-fights and gambling operations.

“As the city turned epicentre for cock-fights, we came from East Godavari, along with the fighting roosters and participating in the cockfights,” said K Srini Raju. Sources said that roosters were brought to Vizag from East and West Godavari districts for cockfights.