Despite AP government's ban on cock fights, organizers of the banned port are reportedly adamant to conduct this sport this Sankaranti.

According to a Deccan Chronicle, organisers of cockfights have planned to conduct these cockfights around AP & Telangana border to confuse the cops.

A Seshaiah, a businessman from Aswaraopet, told DC, “There is lot of procedure to follow for a cop from one state to enter another to arrest a person or prevent a cockfight. They need to take permission from the respective district SP. But such procedures are not being followed by cops of the two states,” he added.

In spite of the ban on cockfights people from Dammapet, Aswaraopet,Sattupalli,Penuballi and Vemsoor mandals bet on cocks as part of their traditional festival Sankranti. These mandals have a 200-km border with Krishna and West Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh.

Businessmen, corporates, villagers and students invite their friends and relatives from various cities to participate in the banned sport.

There are different beliefs, customs and rules followed in a cockfight. Some believe that adivasis should carry the birds that will be fighting; others that the knives used in the fights should be sharpened with honey.

People also follow auspicious dates and times for cock fights. A farmer in Dammapet has reared 10 varieties of cocks like kaki dega andpacha kaki in his farm, reported DC.