Sambalpur: Amidst tall claims by police of taking numerous measures to knock down gambling dens in the district, organisers and those who indulge in such illegal pastimes manage to find a way to run the illegal business.
Areas like Burla, Hirakud, Thelakuli, Jamankira, Kuchinda, Mahulapali, Gobindapur Rairakhol, Ainthapali, Khetrajpur, Dhanupali, Shashan, Rengali, Charmal and Dhama have come up as havens of gambling.
Gambling goes up during local festivities despite the fact that police make tall claims to its contraty. Police records have it that at least 81 persons were arrested and over Rs 1 lakh seized during last two months – January and February.
According to sources, the number of people involved in these unlawful activities is several times higher than those nabbed by the police. The size of money that finds its way into the sweepstakes is even higher.
According to a resident of Thelakuli, gambling plays spoilsport for the economic development of the region. Tribals and those belonging to lower socioeconomic strata blow their hard earned money in the game in the hope turning rich overnight. In the process, they lose their day’s income and even their belongings.
According to sources, dens to hold Ghudughudi, Patti, Jua and Satta, among several forms of gambling, are flourishing in Kuchinda sub-division to exploit economically weaker sections of society. A handful of police promote the business to keep their palms greased. Some den owners even pay them over Rs 5,000 per day.
Burla police had arrested three youths and seized Rs 11,360 after conducting a raid on a gambling unit January 1. The next day, Govindpur police arrested another youth. Four youths were nabbed and Rs 1,570 seized from their possession at Karadola January 10.
Later in the month, six youth were arrested and Rs 7,200 seized from Siddheswar Berna; seven were caught and Rs 32,442 was seized from Dahupali, two were arrested and 7,300 was seized from Hirakud; five were nabbed and 25,000 was recovered from Ainthapali.
In February, police arrested 17 gamblers and seized Rs 5,000 after raiding on several gambling dens in the district.
PNN