Concern over gambling during festive season

From a Correspondent

Boko, November 10: People of South Kamrup, especially Bamunigaon, Boko and Singra celebrated Durga Puja, Lakshimi Puja and now Diwali. But most of the Puja organizing committees are allegedly finced by crimils who organize gambling simultaneously along with these festivals. The administration and other social organizations are well aware of this but no action has been taken to stop gambling activities.

People who live in these areas are mostly margil farmers, labourers or weavers. Most of the families belong to the BPL category. During the festive season they indulge in gambling.

Khiroda Deka, president of Buwa-Kota Samany Sammittee said, “Gambling is going on openly and due to this, many families have been destroyed.”

A weaver from Payranga village, Bachijan Bibi, said, “Everywhere gambling is going on. Police know this and they collect their commission regularly from the people who run the gambling business. Other social organizations also collect money from them. But we are ruined. Every day, we see somebody who has lost in gambling sell his cow, cycle, gold or other property at a negligible price. The administration must do something to stop gambling.”

Swarlata Deka, president of an NGO, said, “Gambling goes on near Boko Police Station and other prominent places. Then how can you say that the police or administration does not know about this. The police are hands-in-glove with the people who run the gambling business.”