Andhra Pradesh: Two Killed Due To Knife Injuries During Cockfights

The incidents were reported during the cockfights being organised as part of Sankranthi celebrations despite a ban on the event.

Amid people celebrating Sankranthi with fervour across Andhra Pradesh, two people were killed following deep injuries on their bodies during cockfights in two separate incidents in Eluru and Kakinada districts in the Godavari region on Sunday.

The victims have been identified as Padma Rao, 22, from Anantapalli under Nallajarla Mandal of East Godavari and Gande Suresh, 45, from Velanka village of Jaggampeta constituency under Kakinada district. The incidents were reported during the cockfights being organised as part of Sankranthi celebrations despite a ban on the event.

According to ABP Desam's report, Padma Rao has reportedly engaged in tying the knives to the roosters in the cockfight. A rooster armed with knives attacked him on his leg. He reportedly died on the spot as a result of excessive bleeding.

In another similar incident that took place in the Kakinada district, Gande Suresh was reportedly injured after he was attacked by a rooster during a cockfight. However, Suresh turned up to the event to watch it. 

According to a Deccan Chronicle report, on Sunday Telugu Desam state president Kinjarapu Atchannaidu said that despite restrictions imposed by the police department, cockfights, gambling, and other activities have gone on unabated at various places in Andhra Pradesh.

Atchannaidu regretted that while Sankranti must depict the culture and tradition of the Telugu people, it has been turned into a gambling festival. He demanded that Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy make public the results of the Anti-Gambling Act, which the CM enacted two years ago.

He demanded the police stop cockfights and gambling during the next two days so that the common people can celebrate the Sankranti festival smoothly.