Activists ask AP to end cockfighting

HC HAD banned cockfighting in 2016 during Sankranti. DESPITE THE ban, cockfights continue in AP. COCKFIGHTING IS not only cruel to animals but also encourages gambling and child labour. It should have no place in a civil society.

Cockfighting, which glorifies illegal activities, should not have a place in the civil society, say activists of Human Society International (HSI). The High Court had banned cockfighting in 2016 during Sankranti. However, despite the ban, cockfights continue in AP. The Hyderabad High Court on Thursday directed the Andhra Pradesh government to strictly follow its order.

The HC also directed the state government to form an inspection team comprising the collectors of West and East Godavari, Krishna and Guntur districts to identify the places where cockfights take place and conduct raids. The committee should be set up by January 7.

The collectors and the police are asked to ensure that playgrounds are not used for conducting cockfights.

Action will be initiated against the erring tahsildars and police officers for their failure to ensure implementation of the Andhra Pradesh Gaming Act, 1974, and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

N.G. Jayasimha, managing director of Human Society International, said, “In 2016, the High Court asked the government of AP to prevent cockfights. But cockfights are taking place and the government is turning a blind eye to them. We urge the government to follow the HC order.”

He added, “Cockfighting is not only cruel to animals but also encourages gambling and child labour. A practice that glorifies illegal activities should have no place in a civil society.”

Alokparna Sengupta, deputy director of HSI, said, “We urge the Chief Minister to follow the High Court order strictly.”

HSI has been campaigning to end the practice and has urged the public to report any cockfighting taking place near them at the nearest police station or at their tip line on 8899117773.