Adilabad: Notwithstanding the ban, cockfights are going on with full gusto in the forest area on the banks of river Pranahita that abuts Telangana and Maharashtra. People from both states make it to the betting game.
Organisers and punters have chosen hideouts deep in the jungles in order to avoid attention of outsiders, and more specifically that of police. They also shift the venues at regular intervals. Though popular around Sankranti, cockfights are a regular feature in these areas.
This came to light when police personnel recently raided some venues where cockfights were underway in the outskirts of Babbera Chelka and Devulawada villages under Kotapalli police station limits. Incidentally, many migrant families from Andhra Pradesh, are settled in these villages.
Punters come with huge luggage as they stay put at the venue for a week at a stretch.
Vemanapalli police seized four cocks, Rs 1.5 lakh cash, cell phones, and seven vehicles. Ramagundam task force and Kotapalli police jointly raided some venues and arrested 28 punters on March 5. Most of those who bet heavily are from Peddapalli, Mancherial and Komaram Bheem Asifabad districts.
