Organisers, punters gear up for rooster fights amid intensified police raids

Police crackdown on rooster fights in Krishna and West Godavari districts ahead of Sankranti festivities, organizers remain hopeful.

Even as the police make every effort to curb rooster fights in the erstwhile Krishna and West Godavari districts, conduct raids and destroy the combat arenas, the organisers of the blood sport hope that the fights will be conducted smoothly during Sankranti this year.

The organisers were seen erecting tents near rooster fight arenas and making arrangements for gambling and other games to be played during the three-day Sankranti festivities, which begin on Monday, January 13.

“Kodi Pandelu (rooster fights) are integral to Sankranti festivities in our villages. We conduct rooster fights without tying knives to the birds. We enjoy the game with family,” says a student, P. Lahari, at Punadipadu village in Krishna district.

Meanwhile, punters were seen training the roosters and conducting trail fights on the fields. The organisers even invited celebrities, local leaders, and others to watch the rooster fights.

However, the police warned of stern action against anyone conducting rooster fights in violation of the High Court orders.

“We conducted awareness programmes, made tom-tom announcements and explained the legal consequences of conducting rooster fights,” Krishna district Superintendent of Police R. Gangadhar Rao said.

“We damaged the arenas at Pedavegi, Jangareddygudem, Kaikalur and other places in Eluru district. Vigil has been stepped up to prevent rooster fights,” said Eluru district Superintendent of Police K. Pratap Shiva Kishore.