Vijayawada: Cockfights are on in a big way in Krishna district. They are being organised in the nights too with crores of rupees being put on bet. The police have limited power to control the clashes between groups. Despite the scarcity of cash in ATMs, currency is flowing in people's hands at the cockfight camps. All the elected representatives are encouraging cockfights in the name of festival tradition.
Till Saturday afternoon, the police kept a strict vigil and closed all the cockfight camps, despite furious remarks by the politicians. However, by evening, the police were out of scene and according to sources, with orders from higher authorities, the cops moved away from the camps. The organisers took position and commenced the show. According to estimates, about '200 crore has been put on bet in cockfights by Sunday afternoon. This year, Krishna district competed with the Godavari districts in organising cockfights, with the involvement of politicians.
Luxury cars and costly bikes were parked at the camps. From local villagers to the wealthy and sophisticated, all people thronged the cockfight camps. More than 200 youth were posted as protection force to avoid the police and media at the camps. Knives were used openly in the cockfights. All arrangements have been made to supply food and liquor to those betting on the cocks. The winners, it is learnt, were gifted Enfield bikes as prizes.
Perhaps, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu might have allowed cockfights thinking that it would lead to a rise in the happiness index as people would feel happy taking part in betting. It might be for the same reason that the cops were told to ignore cockfights, a few critics said. The camps at Edupugalli, Poranki, Pedapulipaka were reportedly organised on the orders of MLA Bode Prasad.
MLC Rajendra Prasad attended the camp at Hanumantapuram. MLC Buddha Venkanna has inaugurated the camp at Bhavanipuram. Cockfights were organised rampantly at Nunna, Pagolu, Nuzvid, Chandarlapadu, Kodali, Tadepalli, Pedasana-gallu, Movva, Kapileswarapuram Lankalu, Dachavaram, Kolletikota, Chillakallu. The camps might continue the show till Wednesday evening. Surprisingly, joint commissioner of police Ramana Kumar said there is strict monitoring and that they would arrest the participants, if there is any information on the betting.
