Cock-fights, the multi-crore extravaganza

• Field day for gamblers as cops turn mute spectators
• People in spirits with make-shift liquor shops

Rajahmundry: As expected cockfights have happened unabated in the East Godavari district right in front of police personnel, who were mute spectators. Crores of rupees changed hands on Wednesday in cockfights as well as in other gambling activities like Gundata in the district, particularly in Konaseema area.

Betting is a thriving business in and around Godi Lanka in Allavaram mandal, Kesanakurru in I Polavaram mandal, N Kothapalli and Peda Gadavilli in Uppalaguptham mandal, Sakurry and Gunnepalli in Amalapuram rural mandal, Cheyyeru and Geddanapalli in Katrenikona mandal and in Razole, Malki Puram, P Gannavaram mandals in Konaseema region.

Make-shift liquor shops were set ups at almost all cockfight venues in these areas. Entertainment came in form of seductive dance numbers that kept the participants in spirits. Some of the organizers lured punters and gamblers with a dose of packages, including providing free non-vegetarian meals while the nearby coconut plantations were converted into parking lots. Though people’s representatives did not take part in the otherwise banned cockfights directly, it is very evident that things happened without a hitch because the ‘promoters’ enjoyed their ‘patronage’ in one form or the other.

Rumours were rife that men in authority had unofficially ordered local police remain oblivious of the cockfights and the subsequent merriment.

Cockfights are not confined to Konaseema area alone. They are prevalent in Kirlampudi at Jaggampeta mandal, Thetagunta and Velam Palem in Tuni mandal, Meda padu and Vetal palem in Pedda Puram mandal and in KothaPeta mandal.

Meanwhile, police arrested 26 persons in connection with cockfights and seized six cocks and cash at Rajanagaram.