Cockfight organisers warned of strict action

NTR District Collector Dr G Lakshmisha has reiterated that cockfighting is a crime under the law and warned of strict action against violators. He stated that cockfighting is banned under Section 10 of the Andhra Pradesh Gaming Act, 1974, and Section 34 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
Addressing a meeting with coordinating department officers at the Sri Pingali Venkaiah Conference Hall on the collectorate premises in Vijayawada on Monday, Dr Lakshmisha unveiled posters prepared by the Animal Husbandry Department promoting the ban on cockfighting.
He explained that joint inspection teams had been formed at the village, mandal, and district levels, following High Court guidelines, to prevent cockfighting during the Sankranti festival. Multi-level teams have been constituted to monitor these banned activities, he said.
Dr Lakshmisha elaborated that Village-Level Teams consist of a Village Revenue Officer (VRO), a police constable, and Animal Husbandry staff. At the same time, Mandal-Level Teams include a Tahsildar, a Station House Officer (SHO), and a Mandal Animal Husbandry Officer. He added that district-level teams will be led by an RDO/Sub-Collector, a DSP/ACP, and the Deputy Director of Animal Husbandry.
The Collector emphasised the importance of conducting awareness programmes with the involvement of local representatives to educate the public on the legal consequences of cockfighting and betting. He called for strict vigilance to prevent betting shops and ensure adherence to laws. Tahsildars and RDOs were instructed to issue notifications to panchayats under their jurisdiction and ensure coordinated efforts for strict surveillance and intensified inspections.