Revenue, police plan sports meets in villages

KAKINADA: To divert people’s attention from cockfights, police and revenue departments are organising sports meets at villages where such fights involving roosters are common.

East Godavari superintendent of police M. Ravindranath Babu said DSPs will organise such competitions in villages falling within their respective divisions. He wanted them to involve entire families into these Sankranti competitions. The SP suggested that volleyball, cricket, shuttle and kabaddi tournaments can be organised for men and Rangoli for women.

Ravindranath Babu said to check cockfights, 2,187 persons have been bound-over and 2,661 cock-knives seized so far. He disclosed that notices are being issued to farmers who used to make available their lands for organising cockfights.

East Godavari district collector Chevuri Hari Kiran underlined that Section 144 is being implemented in the district from January 7 to check cockfights. Criminal cases will be booked against those who organise such fights, he maintained