AP Govt to use drone cameras ahead of Fest

Amaravati, January 11: As Sankranthi festival nearing, villages and small towns in East Godavari, West Godavari and Krishna districts in Andhra Pradesh are getting ready to celebrate the massive festival. While the festival is one in which most agrarian communities celebrate their harvest, in many places people are getting ready for cockfights.

Though cockfights are illegal, locals often view it as part of their culture and the larger festivities associated with Sankranti.

Despite several court rulings, including a Supreme Court order in January 2018 banning the game, it continues unabated, and enjoys much political patronage.

In this regard, police authorities claim that this year they are taking preventive measures to stop cockfights. As per earlier orders from the court, the government has formed committees comprising of police, revenue officials and concerned citizens to crack a whip on the organisers of such events.

East Godavari Additional Superintendent of Police Sridhar Rao told to media that the measures include taking people into preventive custody and seizure of roosters. The police are also serving notices to organisers of cockfights.

The SP says, “As of now we have made nearly 100 arrests and several persons were served with notices."

He further added, "Section 144 has been imposed on certain places keeping past incidents in view. We are also considering the use of drone cameras. We are planning to use drone cameras keeping in view the diverse geographic locations where these cockfights take place.”

As per the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and the Andhra Pradesh Gaming Act, 1974, cockfights are illegal, and there by prohibited.