Collector, SP direct officials to take stringent steps against cockfightsPNS n eluru

District Collector K Vetri Selvi and Superintendent of Police K Pratap Siva Kishore have instructed officials to implement strict measures to curb cockfights and gambling activities in the district.
During a video conference held on Friday with police, mandal-level, and excise officials, the Collector and SP reviewed the steps being taken to prevent cockfights, gambling, and illicit liquor sales.
Collector Vetri Selvi emphasised that cockfighting is illegal and directed sub-collectors, RDOs, and tahsildars to set up control rooms in coordination with DSPs and SGOs. She urged officials to destroy arenas set up for cockfights using JCBs and tractors, seize money from organizers under Section 163 of BNSS, and take legal action against offenders under the A.P. Gambling Act, 1974.
To promote alternatives, she advised encouraging youth to participate in traditional sports such as Kabaddi, Volleyball, and Cricket, and engaging women in Rangoli competitions. She also instructed tahsildars to form monitoring committees at the village level to maintain constant vigilance.
The Collector stressed that awareness campaigns must be conducted to inform people that organising or participating in cockfights is a punishable offence. Flex banners should be displayed in rural areas, and surveillance cameras and police pickets should be set up at vulnerable spots to monitor and deter such activities.
She directed the police to conduct raids on hotels, guesthouses, and lodges to ensure no outsiders are facilitating or participating in these illegal events.
SP K Pratap Shiva Kishore warned of strict action against those involved in cockfights or poker gambling. He added that landowners who permit their lands to be used for these activities would also face legal consequences.
Officials, including DRO V Visweswar Rao and Nuzvid Sub-Collector Smaranraj, attended the meeting and pledged to implement the directives efficiently.
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