The villages of the combined Krishna district are gearing up to organise cockfights for the traditional Sankranti festival, whether the State government and the Police Department give permission or not. Cockfights are deeply rooted in the local customs of Krishna, West Godavari, and East Godavari districts, and during the three-day Sankranti festival, they draw punters and spectators from far and wide.
Major arenas, or ‘rings’ are reportedly being prepared in villages such as Ampapuram (Bapulapadu mandal), Kankipadu, Edupugallu, and Punadipadu (Kankipadu mandal) besides Tenneru, Manthena, Velpuru and other villages in Krishna district. Also, Gannavaram, Surampalli, Mustabad, China Avutapalli and other villages of Gannavaram mandal are likely to host the bloodsport.
Besides, the ruling TDP and its alliance partner Jana Sena Party leaders are keen to conduct cockfights for the upcoming Sankranti festival. Apart from Ampapuram, rings are getting ready at Nuzvid, Agiripalli, Shobhanapuram, Edara, AdaviNekkalam, Nekkalam –Gollagudem, Musunuru, Chatrai, Vissannapet, Tiruvuru, Putrela, Gampalagudem, A Konduru, Mylavaram, and G Konduru.
Organisers are allegedly receiving backing from local leaders, including some people’s representatives and members of the ruling TDP party, to ensure that the events proceed smoothly. Cockfight lovers, not just from other States, but foreign countries, visit Krishna and Godavari districts during this period to participate in the bloodsport.
During the three days of the Sankranti festival, hundreds of crores of rupees are exchanged among punters, particularly in the Ampapuram, Kankipadu, and Punadipadu rings. So far, the police have not taken any steps to prevent cockfights as they had done earlier in NTR and Krishna districts. Previously, they had ravaged cockfighting rings set up in mango gardens.
Elaborate arrangements for spectators
Meanwhile, the organisers are making arrangements to conduct cockfights at Ampapuram, Edupugallu, Kankipadu, Punadipadu, Kotturu Tadepalli, Vissannapet, Nuzvid, Agiripalli, Kondapalli, Tiruvuru, and other areas in the combined Krishna district. The second cadres of the ruling TDP and JSP leaders have been approaching their respective MLAs, MPs and ministers including the party constituency in charge to provide police permission for conducting cockfights. Also, they are urging leaders that the police should not create any trouble.
Entry tickets are available at Rs.5,000 and Rs.10,000. Ampapuram village in Krishna district, which is situated adjacent to the national highway, was well known for conducting cockfights. The organisers have released invitation cards, and videos on social media to invite punters to participate in the cockfights.
Every year, the police give warnings to cockfight organisers and those who tie knives to cocks. According to the information available from the Police and the Revenue departments, no action has been started for stopping cockfights. In this situation, TDP and JSP leaders are getting ready to conduct the bloodsport at various places.
This year, TDP leaders from Vijayawada are also showing interest in organising cockfights at the real estate ventures in and around Vijayawada city. They are in search of suitable spots for parking, seating and setting up food courts. One of the followers of an MLA from Vijayawada is more interested in conducting cockfights near Nunna. Meanwhile, the party leaders in Nunna village are also searching for mango gardens to conduct cockfights.
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