In a major crackdown against gambling dens, police arrested as many as 19 persons for indulging in `matka' (a kind of gambling) under Sitaramdera and Golmuri police station area.
While 16 persons were arrested from three places under Sitaramdera police station area, three persons were arrested from Golmuri police station.
While making the arrest, the police seized `10,500 from Bhuiyandih, Slag Road and Baradwari, where the `matka' was being operated. The police could seize `550 from Masjid Road in Golmuri where the gambling was operating.
The raids were carried out by separate teams of police officials at Golmuri, Sakchi, Sitaramdera, and Sidhgora from about 11 pm.
Youths between age-group of 20-35 years were nabbed. All these accused were today forwarded to the Ghaghidih Central Jail after their production before a judicial magistrate.
Senior superintendent of police Anoop Birtharay has instructed all officers-in-charge to take stern steps against those found indulging in gambling. They have been asked to act on each and every tip-off they receive. He added that if any complaint of gambling was found to be true in a thana area, the officer-in-charge concerned would be taken to task. Sources said gambling was already rampant in Jugsalai, Sonari, Sakchi and Sitaramdera in the run-up to Holi.
"We have received information about gambling. We have decided to conduct raids at the public places like bus-stand, parks, empty houses or under-constructed houses. We will arrest those found indulged in the act and will prosecute them under Section 13 of the gambling act," said an official.
He said those who organise the gambling if caught during the raids will be prosecuted under 3/4 of the Gambling Act and will get bail from the court only. He stated that the officers in-charge of the police stations have been instructed to check gambling in their respective areas.
Other places where gambling is organised include marketplaces in Sakchi, Bistupur, Kadma, Sonari and Golmuri. The gambling is also held at some houses in the residential locality of Baradwari, Sonari and Sakchi.
Another police official went on to add that several preventive measures have been taken to deal with any adverse situation in the district. He has directed the fire department officers to ensure that fire tenders are stationed at important places and other places in view of possibility of fire.