VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Police to use AI drones in areas where cockfights are held on Sankranti. Although there is a ban on cockfighting during Pongal and Makara Sankranti, cockfights are secretly held in Krishna, NTR, Eluru and Godavari districts.
DGP Ch. Dwaraka Tirumala Rao directed the state police to strengthen checks and prevent cockfights by using advanced technology. 130 high-quality drones have been deployed by the police. Drone patrols will be activated in areas that are difficult for police to reach quickly. Cockfighting over money often leads to violent incidents, which is a headache for the police. Andhra High Court had recently expressed displeasure with the police for not controlling cockfights. Cockfighting was banned in 2016.