The police may not be in a position to stop the cock fights for this Sankranthi. The court has suggested that all the weapons used for the cock fights should be seized and that it should not be allowed as a gambling sport. But the Andhra people have been doing it even after court orders and police diktats. The local MLAs also encourage the fights.
Some VIPs and MLAs from Telangana also go to Andhra and participate in staking claims over the cock fight. Srinivas Yadav the Minister is one of them who visits Andhra for Sankranthi. Dora Babu a TDP functionary said that the police look at the sport and they call it bundobust finally the cock fights and betting takes place here.
But demonetization has taken its toll on the sport. The cock sellers who were expecting big business this time are disappointed. The business is dull this time said Veera Raju who is a regular seller of cocks for the fights. The cash flow is very less he said. He is also of the opinion that this time the betting could also be less when compared to the last time.
The VVIPs also come to see the cock fights and arrangements are also in full swing for the same. Lunch , dinner and cultural activities are also being planned for the night. Record dances are also being planned for the festival. It is just celebration time with the new crops and grains in hand it is celebration time.
But it has to be seen how far the police will be able to control the cock fights with knives.
Some other enthusiasts said that they might go for bare fights without any weapons. The cocks will fight without knives and they will see and enjoy the same. There are reports that lands and barter system will be used for betting in case there is no cash on hand. But the show will go on.
Earlier 300 to 400 crores were involved in the betting apart from the gambling going on by the side. The cock fighters and the betting is different and the others also bet by the side on these fights on their own. The betting will also go outside the arena in the name of cocks and their winning chances.
