Cops destroy arena of cockfights

Eluru: The district police have started exercising their power against the illegal activities of cockfight and gambling in West Godavari district, which is notorious for violating court ruling and laws by openly organizing cockfights and other gambling during Sankranti festival.

The cops ploughed an arena built for organizing cockfight and other gambling in the guise of sports field. They also destroyed the fencing of the arena drawing huge applause from people who don’t want blood of animals shed in Sankranti festivities.

It is a common scenario every year as gambling will be held under the cover of organizing sports competitions during the festival days. Not surprisingly, the gambling involves betting to the tune of hundreds of crores of rupees.

With people’s representatives directly participating in the activity, the police forces are chained from acting tough against illegal activities. As every unlawful activity of gambling done under the cover of tradition and custom of the festival, the police often reduced to mere sandwich.

While courts fault them for failure to implement law, people’s representatives dictate them to keep calm.

However, this time, the police started their duty with some courage when they swooped on an arena at Konitivada village of Veeravasaram mandal and proved their upper hand over unlawful activity. Revenue staff accompanied them.

The officials informed that the court directive banned cockfights and gambling till January 20. They said that they had filed bind over cases against some suspects and seized blades used in violent cockfights.

They have been searching many premises where ground is being prepared for holding the cockfights.

On the other hand, the organizers have been preparing fields in the guise of organizing sports and other competitions during the festival.