Sankranti cockfights go unabated despite curbs in AP

[Anta Assamey]

Sankranti cockfights continued unabated across the West Godavari district and several other parts of Andhra Pradesh on Thursday.

Cockfight rings and makeshift tents were pitched across villages such as Yelurupadu, Kallakuru, Kalla, Seesali, Thaderu and Vempa, among others.

Among these places, Vempa, located around 20 km from Bhimavaram, is hosting one of the largest cockfight rings, laying an elaborate white central tent. For the benefit of spectators and punters, organisers in Vempa installed two large LED screens.

Generally many people cannot clearly see the actual cockfights as people sitting or standing before them block their view. Two large cocks made out of thermacol adorned the Vempa ring, located in the midst of lush paddy fields. The venue resembled nothing less than a fair, with a good number of stalls selling biryani, fried chicken and other delicacies. Enthusiasts arrived in large number of cars and two wheelers, some from as far away as Hyderabad.

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader and former Denduluru MLA, Chintamaneni Prabhakar, created a scene in Vempa. Midway through a cockfight, Prabhakar entered into some disagreement with the organisers/opponent and and walked out in a huff.

One of the organisers also warned the spectators to be careful with their valuables, saying that they caught two thieves earlier during the day.

However, after Prabakhar's exit, the duels ended, though some people were expecting them to resume later as arrangements have been made to last till late into the night.

"We have come all the way from Hyderabad but the cockfights ended here in Vempa, which is little disappointing," Ram Reddy, a spectator, told IANS.

Considerable amount of money is spent on making the chosen roosters battle ready, including making them swim for months together.

Meanwhile, all police warnings and announcements against cockfights proved to be an eyewash as usual. There was no presence of police even remotely.

In Kalla village, cockfights were being organised just a stone's throw away from the local police station. At many cockfight venues, liquor was consumed openly.

Though many states across the country are dealing with bird flu, witnessing a large number of birds dying, Sankranti celebrants in the southern state didn't seem to be worried as they continued to engage in cockfights.

[MiryalgudaMaruthiRao]

Thank you Jagan Anna

[Amrita]

vammo akkada corona leda? 

[MiryalgudaMaruthiRao]

3 minutes ago, Amrita said:

vammo akkada corona leda? 

only elections ke corona

 

[Anta Assamey]

3 minutes ago, Amrita said:

vammo akkada corona leda? 

Neeku eppudo cheppa India lo corona ledu talk .. 

[Amrita]

3 minutes ago, MiryalgudaMaruthiRao said:

only elections ke corona

 

Ah tents anni chustunte very planned . How they got permissions ? 

2 minutes ago, Anta Assamey said:

Neeku eppudo cheppa India lo corona ledu talk .. 

 

[Amrita]

3 minutes ago, Anta Assamey said:

Neeku eppudo cheppa India lo corona ledu talk .. 

One curious question. Restaurants ki poyi tinacha ? 

[snoww]

It's a tradition in andhra. Like jallikattu in TN.

Ban antey roads meeda kodatharu public. 

[snoww]

1 minute ago, Amrita said:

One curious question. Restaurants ki poyi tinacha ? 

Everything is normal except schools closed. Theaters at 50% capacity. 

[Amrita]

Just now, snoww said:

Everything is normal except schools closed. Theaters at 50% capacity. 

Cool.  India lo resistance ekkuva emo dont know how they are so brave.

[Anta Assamey]

2 minutes ago, Amrita said:

One curious question. Restaurants ki poyi tinacha ? 

Adem prasna ... Kalasinanta sepu kurchoni tinachu ... 

[Amrita]

Just now, Anta Assamey said:

Adem prasna ... Kalasinanta sepu kurchoni tinachu ... 

Mari deni kadiki covid test gadida guddu test why ? Manaku inconvenience. Andaru kalustunte ledu evaro vere desam nunchi vaste torture ah.

[Anta Assamey]

2 minutes ago, Amrita said:

Mari deni kadiki covid test gadida guddu test why ? Manaku inconvenience. Andaru kalustunte ledu evaro vere desam nunchi vaste torture ah.

Edo manalni satisfy cheyataniki ... 

[r2d2]

2 minutes ago, Amrita said:

evaro vere desam nunchi vaste torture

the strain prevalent in India is supposedly much milder..

[Spartan]

no one can scratch them man...simple..