Cock fight gambling ring busted, 23 held
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Imphal, December 27 2013 :
A large number of animal lovers, students, and local civil organisations with the help of Thoubal district police busted a huge local cockfighting ring at Thoubal Achouba near Mela Ground in Thoubal district yesterday.
A strong police team reached the locationat about 4.30 pm and apprehended around 23 gamblers.
About 50 two- wheeler vehicles, four four-wheelers, and seven bicycles were seized from the cockfighting ring site.
About six fighter cocks were also rescued by the police during the about 5-hour long operation.
All the accused have been booked under section 11(1) (n) of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 by the district police.
The district police might invoke other Acts related to gambling in the case.
All the accused, the seized vehicles, birds, and cages were produced before the District Magistrate today, according to People for Animals (PFA), Thoubal.
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PFA said that it would like to show gratitude to the Thoubal police for successfully carrying out the operation.
PFA said that cockfighting game is organised every Thursday of every week at the ring, and that numerous cock owners, bidders from different parts of the state come to participate it.
About Rs 10, 000 is bidden against a cock per fight and about 20 % of the bid goes to the host and 80 % is for the winner.
The cock that retreats and runs from a fight is killed and eaten mercilessly as a punishment for their cowardliness by the owner and bidders who losses the game.
However, good fighters that never retreat are kept and provided care till death.
A good young fighter could be sold at about Rs 5,000 .
PFA said cockfighting game is a very inhumane crime against animals.
The poor bird has to fight to bleed to stay alive, it said, adding they get many injuries at their eyes, beaks, heads, and throats etc in a fight.
It added that gambling is a bad crime which adversely affects the economy of a family, appealing that people should inform police about such fights.