Lakhs of people throng rooster fight arenas despite police warning in Andhra Pradesh
Thousands of arenas were set up in NTR, Krishna, Eluru, East Godavari and West Godavari districts on the third day of Sankranti festivities; crores of rupees reportedly changed hands in betting
Not paying heed to the warnings by the police against rooster fights, lakhs of people thronged the arenas set up for the banned traditional sports across Andhra Pradesh during the Sankranti festivities.
Elaborate arrangements were made at the venues for rooster fights as people from all walks of life including celebrities, NRIs and businessmen gathered to watch the sports. Rooster fights were conducted under the flood lights at many places.
Gambling, Gundata, Numberlata and other banned games related to betting were also organised at the arenas. Huge tents with seating facilities were arranged for the audience.
Not paying heed to the warnings by the police against rooster fights, lakhs of people thronged the arenas set up for the banned traditional sports across Andhra Pradesh during the Sankranti festivities.
Elaborate arrangements were made at the venues for rooster fights as people from all walks of life including celebrities, NRIs and businessmen gathered to watch the sports. Rooster fights were conducted under the flood lights at many places.
Gambling, Gundata, Numberlata and other banned games related to betting were also organised at the arenas. Huge tents with seating facilities were arranged for the audience.
Thousands of cockfight arenas were set up in NTR, West Godavari, Krishna, Eluru and East Godavari districts. People from different States and even abroad arrived to enjoy the sports.
“Rooster fights were organised in a big way this year and lakhs of people gathered at the arenas. This tells it all about the support and patronage the banned sports have in Andhra Pradesh,” says Lanka Eshwar hailing from Eluru district.
The revenue and police officers, who conducted awareness meetings and tried their level best to check rooster fights, were not seen at the arenas.
People who tamed roosters, punters, arena organisers and sellers of the knives that are tied to the legs of the fighting roosters made a good business. Crores of rupees reportedly changed hands in betting at the arenas.
Many people hailing from villages along the Andhra Pradesh-Telangana border participated in rooster fights at Cheemalapadu, Jaggaiahpet, Nandigama, Jaggaiahpet, G. Konduru and other areas in NTR district.
Rooster fights continued till late in the night on Wednesday.
