Now a days, a group of young men arrange the competition of cock fighting, an ancient game, in some areas. Especially Sarail thana headquarters and Kazipara 'Moholla' of Brahmanbaria Pourasava are very well known for cock fighting.
Every year young organisers invite the owners of fighting cocks and arrange the competition. At least 20 to 24 pairs of cocks are assembled in the competition ground for fighting. Only the owners of 'Aseel Cock' which is the best variety for fighting are allowed to come to the competition field.
The organisers make a pandle and decorate an area for cock fighting.First, second and third prizes are distributed among the winners. The organisers also give consolation prizes.
People say, cock fighting is an ancient game.During the British regime, cock fighting was a favourite hobby of kings and land lords. Land lord Kutub Dewan of the then Sarail Porgona, now Sarail thana of the district had various kinds of pet animals including "Aseel Cock', known as 'Asli Murog'. With the passage of time all kinds of land lordships have been abolished, but the game of cock fighing became very popular throughout the district.
'Aseel Cock' has a long neck and big, long legs.
Its face is bigger than that of any other cock, but its body is slim. Its body is very energetic. It is taller and bigger than any other cock. Its weight is 1.5 kg to 2.5 kg. Sometimes, its weight becomes 3 kg. It can fight for hours together.
Md Jaru, an owner of 'Aseel cock' has informed, it is the nature of 'Aseel cock' to fight till victory. He has also added, they do not run the fighting between the same pair of cock for hours together, rather during the cock fight they make judgment which cock is going to win. At one stage, they stop the running pair of cock and start fighting with another new pair of 'Aseel cock'. If they do not separate the clashing cocks then one cock will kill the competitor at last, he added.
Proverb says," A tola of hobby costs Taka 80." Really the Aseel cock has proved it.Such kind of 'Aseel cock' is sold atTaka 2,000 to 6,000. It is interesting to note that sometimes the winning 'Aseel cock' is sold at Taka 10,000. Assel cock is originally a quarrelling poultry bird. Whenever a pair of 'Aseel cock' is released in the completion field they are locked in a ruthless tough fighting. The winning cock usually breaks the neck bone and legs. They also gouge out the eyes of each other during the fighting. In order to check the danger, the owners of 'Aseel cocks' usually cover the big nail of cocks with cotton.
They also take some other steps to quell and control the danger.
Sometime this precious cock dies of cholera, pox and dysentry and other diseases due to lack of proper madical treatment.
Meanwhile, after fighting each cock suffers from high fever when they are given proper medicine, otherwise they fall sick seriously.
Kazi Shafiudidn, an owner of 'Aseel cock' has alleged, their cocks are not given training nor proper medicine by the respective authorities. He has also alleged that he had one 'Aseel cock', one 'Aseel hen' and its six chickens. They died of foul diseases due to lack of medical facilities.
Day by day the number of 'Aseel cock' is decreasing due to shortage of proper care.
While contacted, Kazi Shafi Uddin, Chief Adviser of 'Aseed Cock Owners Association' has informed that once elite including ex-state minister DrHuda, Ex-Political Adviser Humayun Kabir and film star Zabed used to come to enjoy cock fighting and see 'Aseel cocks'. Now it is only dream.
He has also informed that in order to save 'Assel cocks' from extinction they have formed an association named "Saukhin Aseel Morog Samity of Brahmanbaria' and nominated Sayed Hussain Khoka and Sayed Muhammad Baki as President and Secretary respectively.
They have urged the authorities concern for financial assistance and other helps to save 'Aseel cocks' and its interesting fighting.
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Page generated on : December 07, 1998
