Rooster fight organisers find new venues to escape police radar in Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli districts

Organisers prepare for banned rooster fights in Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli despite police surveillance, attracting punters from afar.

With 10 days left for Sankranthi, the organisers are making preparations to conduct the banned blood sport of rooster fights at secluded places in Visakhapatnam and the neighbouring Anakapalli district.

“We are keeping a close watch on rooster fights in some areas. People can bring such issues to the attention of the department,” Assistant Commissioner of Police Annepu Narasimha Murthy told The Hindu

However, despite police control, the organisers find new venues and events to conduct rooster fights.

Punters have been busy preparing the roosters for the fights at arenas set up in Anandapuram, Bheemili and Padmanabham mandals in Visakhapatnam district, and Kashimkota, Payakaraopeta, Anakapalli, Madugula mandals in Anakapalli district.

In the Visakhapatnam city limits, places like Arilova and Adivaviram are famous for rooster fights during the festive season.

Apart from the regular punters, this time, NRIs and youth working in cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi are said to be forming groups to bet on the rooster fights this Sankranthi. While the rooster fights are played for high stakes, to the tune of crores of rupees in the Godavari and Krishna regions, where the game is highly popular, in Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli districts, the bets range from ₹50,000 to ₹5 lakh.

The punters also specially train the roosters with special food. Depending on the strength and breed, the roosters are sold for anywhere between ₹10,000 and ₹50,000.