Crackdown in Hyderabad on cockfights

HYDERABAD: Police arrested 38 persons for their involvement in cockfights at Medipally and Shamshabad, and seized Rs 32,000 in cash, 16 birds and eight knives from the place.Claiming that cockfights are part of the Sankranti festival culture, political leaders inaugurated cockfights in and around Shamshabad and several villagers came forward to take part in the festivities.Sources said that some people even made betting on the fights.Though the state police registered bind-over cases against the organisers, cockfights went on unhindered at several places in the district.Cyberabad police chief D Tirumala Rao said a special drive was launched against organisers and others involved in cockfights.