Kakinada: The Konaseema region in Andhra Pradesh witnessed Sankranti in its fullest swing as people celebrated the festival in all traditional forms including cockfights.The festivity was in the air all over East and West Godavari districts. Despite a ban on cockfights and government restrictions against it, the traditional game was conducted by enthusiastic festive revellers at nearly 400 places in both the districts.

Cockfights were conducted in a highly professional manner in Kakinada, Bhimavaram, Eluru and several other places. The arenas for cockfights were prepared just like any other national or international level tournament - several acres of stadiums, seating arrangement for audience with VIP sections, live coverage of the cockfights on huge LED screens and eateries around the stadiums.

Political leaders including Ministers, MLAs, MPs and film stars, directors, producers and other celebrities enjoyed cockfights. They everyone says it was a traditional game that is being enjoyed by people of the region for over a century, most of the cockfights conducted in Godavaris, Krishna and Guntur districts were played on betting. The operators openly collected thousands of bets from the participants and it is estimated that nearly Rs200 crore changed hands in the last two days. The festivity will continue on Saturday too.

Unable to enforce law restricting cockfights, the helpless police just stood mute witness to the ongoing cockfights as the ruling party leaders and celebrities enjoy the game.