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In the backdrop of police raiding gambling centres in Puttur on Tuesday, a look at the situation in Sullia has revealed that the problem is not just limited to Puttur and Sullia, but is occurring royally throughout the district.
This game centre has changed into a gambling centre. By giving hope of making easy money, it ruins the lives of the poor people. Thousands of people have become slaves to this game and lost their homes and jobs in Sullia, Puttur and many other places. The departments that should take action are themselves confused..!
The skill game that that is occurring throughout Dakshina Kannada without any impediments. Poor drivers, day wage workers and students have fallen prey to this trap. The people falling prey to this habit is increasing by the day and like lottery tickets, it is destroying their lives. If this is not controlled, the danger will only increase says Dinesh Jain Puttur, frontman of a Hindu organization.
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The local administration too has given permission for skill games. Hence we are unable to conduct raids, say the police displaying their state of helplessness. But the district administration gives the building permission. How are we responsible for such games they question? Therefore, putting an end to this business has become a question.
There is permission?
The owners of the centre claim that it is not an illegal joint. They say they have legal permission. But the local administration and police taking action will not know about this. Permission can be obtained from the court by projecting it to be a entertainment game. But, here in the name of entertainment, gambling is taking place. The people are attracted through pre-coloured coins with a pre-fixed price. If a very few people earn money, majority lose it. A few legal advisers observe this to be against the law.
Auto-rickshaw, home sole!
There are persons in Sullia who have fallen prey to skill games and ended up on the streets after selling off their auto-rickshaws and homes. There are a few people who have fled from their residence after taking loans and failed to repay it. Day wage workers do not go to work and instead spend their time near these centres. A person who loses money here, repeatedly falls prey to this habit, says Mahesh Kumar Menala, president of the group fighting against skill games in Sullia.
Opportunity to take action
“There is opportunity to take action against gambling in the name of skill games. This can be verified based on people’s complaint or the police can take action based on suspicion. The department has been informed about this,” explained Srinivas, DySP, Puttur sub-division.
No abuse
“There is information that the permit is obtained from the district administration and later misused. As soon as we get information that a centre will open on the outskirts of the limits, we bring it to the notice of the local administration and request them to not give the permit. Even then it has been given. Conducting gambling is the guise of skill game is outside the liits of the law,” informs Manjunath, SI, Sullia station.
We did not give
“We have not given permission for skill game centers. There are no documents to prove that it has been given earlier. If there are such joints, give us a complaint. We will take action,” says Gopal Naik, chief officer, city panchayat, Sullia.
We have given notice
“As soon as such a case comes to my notice, I have sent notice to the owners. I have sent its copy to the police department. This is an illegally functioning centre. Hence, how is it possible for us to give the permit?” asks Roopa Shetty, civic officer, Puttur Municipality.