Telangana: As Sankranti approaches, stages set for cockfights, gambling

Ranga Reddy: Despite the Supreme Court upholding a ban on cockfighting, people in the suburb areas of Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy district started organising this blood sport on large scale during Sankranti festivities that is yet to arrive this month. Cockfights, gambling and rummy betting are said to have generated revenue of crores during the Sankranti festivities in Telangana.

Many secret arenas were arranged amidst lush green fields and farm houses for the cockfights and rummy betting. Tents were erected with seating arrangements for thousands of people coming from different parts of the State. Many people who migrated from Andhra region and settled in the suburb areas of Hyderabad are said to organize cockfighting and rummy betting secretly. Farm houses and farms that are owned by celebrities and other famous people are located in suburban areas such as Shamshabad, Shadnagar, Kothur, Ibrahimpatnam, Maheshwaram and Moinabad which is why there were many such cases earlier.

Police and task force officials earlier raided many such spots and arrested the people who organised such events secretly, the reports said that celebrities also participated. Animal rights activists describe these actions as an eye-wash.

"The police try to wash off their hands by making a few arrests and seizing some petty cash from few organisers. They do not take any serious action against the organisers, who indulge in betting of crores of rupees on cockfights and gambling. They also requested the police to take serious actions against organisers under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.