Cockfight organisers enjoy political clout

Kakinada: With High Court order on one side, the Lok Ayukta’s directive on the other, the organisers of cockfights in the Sankranti festive season in East Godavari seems to be adopting a wait and watch policy before storming the selective places in the present season. The online tag for the sale of cocks brought out new dimension to the age-old practice. The police claim that sale of cocks online was not a crime but trying knife to it is a punishable offence under IPC.

According to reliable sources, organisers are said to be gearing up for this unlawful activity on massive scale. It is a known fact that several of these organisers enjoy political clout. In addition to this, there are widespread allegations of indirect support the organisers enjoy from local law enforcing authorities. In five constituencies which comes under Konaseema area, organizers of cock-fights are in serious consultations and putting pressure on people’s representatives and ministers to give police machinery to oral directions for cockfights.

It is evident that the directions of the High Court are going to be disobeyed in East Godavari district as the preparations for cockfights are in full swing. The mobile numbers of cockfight lovers in the districts have already switched off as they have gone to the remote places where the rings have been set up. Cocks which have been trained vigorously have been shifted to their destinations. This year, cocks have been brought from the countries like Indonesia and places like Coimbatore.

The major rings for the cockfights are being set up in Amalapuram division, which is the native place of the Home Minister N Chinarajappa and in Peddapuram, which is his Assembly constituency. Can the police department prevent cockfights in the home turf of the Minister this year? It is a million dollar question.