The police have stopped cockfights at many places in the tribal dominated villages under Sukinda block recently.
“As the Supreme Court has imposed a ban on organising cockfights, so we are determined to stop it. We have already stopped cockfights at ten places. Banners against cockfights have been put up at many places urging locals not to organise the game. We will arrest the persons who prepare knives for cockfights. Cases will be booked against those accused under the Gaming Act, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1986 and other relevant Sections. We request villagers to celebrate the festival with joy and fervour and not to conduct banned games such as gambling and cockfights,” said Kalinganagar police station IIC Rajiv lochan Panda.
“The Supreme Court two years back had banned cockfights and ordered to the Animal Wildlife Board of India (AWBI) and the State Governments to take steps to prevent the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on the animals,” said social worker Dr Suresh Chandra Dalai.