Ban or no ban, cock fights go on

• Betting amounts match that of cricket in volume
• Thriving belt shops, sleaze numbers add to the spicy ‘adventure’

Rajahmundry: It was the symbol of supremacy among communities during the Sankranti festivities. However, ever since a sweeping ban on it on the grounds that it was illegal there has been a Tom and Jerry chase between the local police and organizers, who still conduct the hugely popular cock fights during Sankranti festival.

If the police turn a Nelson’s eye, the event, where crores are at stake, continue unabated for a week, four days beyond the normal three days.

When the political situation turned fluid over the bifurcation issue, and police came under pressure from politicos and looked the other way.

Consequently, the organisers ‘enjoyed’ a field day. This year too with political situation remaining volatile, politicians, among the most active patrons of the ‘gambling-sport’ are expecting police to be indifferent to the fatal attraction. The picture becomes more bizarre when Legislators take an active part forcing the police into a retreat.

Along with cock fights at 150-200 centres in the Konaseema districts, events like ‘Gundata’, ‘Pekata’, ‘Mudumukkalata’, ‘Labbar Gundu’ are organised on a large scale, with bets running into crores. Vehicles parked in long lines is a common sight on the days of the ‘competitions’ where the money involved in sweepstakes makes peanuts of cricket betting, comparatively speaking.

Last year, a staggering Rs. 50-60 crore was reported gobbled up in betting money in East Godavari district alone. The amount touched Rs.100 in the district during Sankranti celebrations.

Unprecedented preparations are being made this year for cock fights at Edurulanka in I Polavaram mandal, with Rs.50 lakh being spent to put the facilities in place. Insiders point out that half of the amount is given to police as ‘mamool’.

Last year there were hectic cock fights in I Polavaram, Mummidivaram, Allavaram, Atreyapuram, Rajole, Malikipuram, Tallarevu, Peddapuram, U Kothapalli, Gandepalli, Togandi, Korukonda, Gokavaram and Rajahmundry Rural mandals.

There is also the danger of fake currency notes being circulated, during festivities in centres like Anaparthi and Kuthukulur. This gains credence as such complaints were raised to exorbitant levels last year.

If that was not enough in itself, sleazy ‘record dances’ are likely to be organised in Gorripudi and Vetlapalem areas alongside clandestine sale by belt shops, which also run into crores.