KVPS leaders addressing the victims and their family members at Thotlavallur in Krishna district. | Photo credit: HANDOUT
Kula Vjatireka Porata Samithi (KVPS) leaders on Sunday alleged that 11 people belonging to scheduled castes, backward castes and minority communities engaged in cock-fighting work during the Sankranti festivities were denied wages, accused of theft, stripped to half-naked, subjected to illegal detention and assaulted in Krihna village in public view. They demanded that cases be registered against the organizers of the cockfights and called for their immediate arrest.
KVPS State General Secretary A. Malyadri alleged that falsely accusing the workers of theft was part of a ploy by the organizers to deny them wages.
He said cockfights were organized on a grand scale in the village as part of the Sankrati celebrations. The organizer of the ‘Patta aata’ (side gambling), Pamarthi Gopichand of Ayyanki village in Movva mandal, engaged 11 persons from Thotlavallur.
Mr Malyadri alleged that after differences in financial transactions at the site, the organizers conspired to avoid payment of wages by falsely accusing the workers of theft. “They were stripped to half their bodies, their hands were tied with ropes, they were illegally detained, tortured and assaulted,” he said, adding that it was a barbaric and inhumane act committed in public. T
Mr. Malyadri said the KVPS team visited the village and spoke to the victims and their family members to ascertain the facts. He demanded that cases be registered against the perpetrators under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. He said officials of the concerned departments should visit the village and talk to the victims to ensure justice to them besides providing adequate protection.
The KVPS general secretary claimed that though the victims were tortured, stripped, beaten and kicked in their private parts, the First Information Report (FIR) registered by the police contained only bailable parts. According to him, the perpetrators recorded videos of the incident and circulated them widely.
He said the court should take suo motu cognizance and register relevant cases as it is a serious violation of human rights. He also urged the SC Commission, Human Rights Commission and Andhra Pradesh Home Minister V. Anitha to personally visit the victims and ensure their protection.
Published – 18 Jan 2026 20:33 IST
