I came here (Bhimavaram) to enjoy cockfights for the first time. I am happy to see them, but I do not gamble Parvez Khan, Kadapa

This is a tradition that is followed for decades. I used to accompany my grandfather as a child. He is no more but I continue coming to AP R K Singh, Hyderabad

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Sankranti cockfights continued for the third day on Wednesday at several places across Andhra Pradesh, especially in the Godavari districts. Roosters battled with sharp knives tied to their legs in West Godavari district, East Godavari, Konaseema, NTR, Eluru, and several other districts.

"I came here (Bhimavaram) to enjoy cockfights for the first time. I am happy to see them, but I do not gamble," said Parvez Khan (46) from Kadapa. As the Sankranti festival ends today, the cockfights are also expected to conclude by tonight. Besides cockfights, Rangampeta village in Tirupati district witnessed 'Jallikattu' (bull taming sport) competitions, attended by hundreds of people as bulls raced through.  Additionally, a village in West Godavari district witnessed a fight between two pigs as part of the Sankranti festivities.

Rooster fights have been rampant in Krishna-Guntur Delta, Godavari districts, Rayalaseema, and Uttarandhra regions despite police warnings. In some cases, the betting per fight was as high as Rs 1 crore in Tadepalligudam.  The blood sport drew crowds in thousands in coastal districts.  

Farmlands were converted into fighting arena. On just one day, on Bhoji, transactions crossed Rs 250 crore. Close to these ‘fighting arenas’ liquor sales thrived with locals setting up make-shift sheds. Separate seating arrangement for VIPS, huge LED screens and floodlights too were set up.

Notable among the areas where rooster fights were held include Ramavarapadu, Yanamalakuduru, Edupugallu, Ambapuram. People from neighbouring states too made a bee-line to these places. R K Singh from Hyderabad said, “This is a tradition that is followed for decades. I used to accompany my grandfather as a child. He is no more but I continue coming to Andhra,” said the resident of Dhoolpet in Hyderabad.

Prominent locations in Godavari districts include Kothapeta, Mummidivaram, Amalapuram, Razole, Devarapalli, Kovvur, Jangareddygudem, Bhimavaram, Tanuku.Throwing caution to the wind, in several places, local politicians photos on flexis were openly displayed.

12 Arrested for Cockfights in Asifabad

In two separate incidents, twelve individuals were arrested in Kumram Bheem Asifabad district for participating in banned cockfights during the Sankranti festival on Tuesday.

In the first incident, nine people were caught in Janagama village, Koutala mandal, with police seizing Rs 3,900 in cash, three roosters, and three knives. The accused, identified as Kare Mahesh, Bewankar Chandu, Urkude Santosh, Kova Pallikarao, Vemulawada Sattenna, Dandera Pandurang, Wadai Ravinder, Sonle Bheemrao, and Jade Thirupathi, are all from different parts of Koutala mandal, according to Sub-Inspector N Madhukar.

In a separate incident, three individuals were apprehended in Chintalamanepalli mandal, for engaging in illegal activity. Police seized three motorbikes, two roosters, and Rs 1,550 in cash from them, as reported by Sub-Inspector Naresh.