Gambling dens come alive in Berhampur City Gear Up Durga Puja
Manoj Kanta Dash,Odishabarta
Berhampur:As Puja festivities reach a feverish pitch, people in Berhampur Police district are indulging in unbridled gambling which is considered a part of the celebrations.
There has been a sudden spurt in gambling activities during the ongoing festive season as people in many parts of the Ganjam continue to believe that Goddess Laxmi can be invoked through the unlawful game(!).
But,on 25/09 Berhampur Baidyanathpur police apprehended 6 gamblers and seized cash Rs.117095/-( one lakh seventeen thousand ninty five rupees ) (Confused,Subject to re count) at 2nd lane Baikuntha Nagar,Berhampur while they were gambling.
Similarly, On 03/10/23 based on reliable information gambling raid was conducted at Somnath nagar apartment side. The position of occurrence from a Broken abandoned house near somanth nagarIn connection 10 persons detained with seizure of Cash Rs: 78,100/-/
It’s not new especially in Ganjam district Gambling dens come alive from much before of Durga Puja till Kumar Purnima gambling is a ritual for people of all ages in the district. Regardless of any change in fortune. Even parents ask their children to gamble during the festival and provide money to them to play the game. Womenfolk too have their own gambling sessions among friends and relatives.
On 26/09/23 (last week) DurgaPuja Preparatory meeting was conducted between Police and Puja organisers in the district police head quarter chaired by superintendent of Police,Dr.Sarvana Vivek,M. regarding the upcoming Dasheera.
SP,addressed all the organisers present over the meeting and appeal them to adhere the guidelines strictly.
1.When erecting the Pooja Pandals , it has to be ensured that , Pandals donot occupy the roads and block the traffic.
2.Organisers should choose the location in such a way.
3. CCTV cameras shall be installed in the Mandap
4.Record dance strictly prohibited otherwise the legal action shall be imposed.
5.iming shall be adhered to regarding music and DJ as per honble supreme court guidelines. Ie., No music or sound after 10 PM.
6.Electrical safety has to be adhered to while taking electricity connection.
7.dequate volunteer should be arranged by the Puja committee to maintain the discipline.
“We cannot allow gambling in the name of tradition. Gambling also goes hand in hand with liquor consumption, which leads to law and order problems.
Police officers have been instructed to crack down on the illegal activity.”
Last year, police had arrested more than 100 persons, he added.
Similarly, all band/ DJ and musical parties using amplifiers along with other musical instruments shall install sound limiters connected to the amplifiers with fixed output of 65 decibel. Use of number of sound boxes by the music party should be limited to 4-5 during Dusshera.
The superintendent of Police clearly stated that provisions of Noise Pollution (Regulation & Control) Rules, 2000 and the Supreme Court order, restricting sound output of loudspeakers to the extent of 65 decibel and official order shall be strictly followed by the committee during the Durga Puja festival.
The band/DJ and music parties registered in their respective police stations and no music shall be played within the radius of 100 meters of silent zones- School, College, Hospital and court.
In open discussion more than 75 organisers throughout and were present and expressed satisfaction and promised to follow the guidelines and agreed with the points suggested by Police.
How Police will manage with new Officers (?).
According to latest available information some sensitive police station are functioning without Inspector in charge as they transferred like Jarada PS and Berhampur sadar PS .only at Gopalpur one Inspector in charge posted last month.Following yesterday at Nimakhandi and Mahila Police stations two lady Inspector in Charge posted and resume.
If we recall the past record these Police stations are more sensitive especially during Durga Puja an open platform for the gamblers. Only time will say.
Say ‘Dada Bati Ku Naa’, Police urges people in Berhampur
With the festive season on its way, the Berhampur Police needs to launch and to initiative, No to Extortion to thwart extortion menace in Berhampur City.
Many senior citizens pointed out to strengthen the drive, an anti-extortion helpline is required.
Considering the demand of senior citizens a senior Police officer said an anti-extortion task force will be implemented under the supervision of a ASP/DSP rank officer and action against anti-socials demanding extortion will be more stringent from Pua to Kumar Purnima. People also advised to lodge their complaints to control room, or in Tweeter account of Berhampur Police.
In the past, police took action against many criminals demanding extortion including arresting habitual offender
What Police Planned .
In another development, police are mulling to appoint special police team in civilian to watchful for some notorious criminals.
Random Police Patrolling-
The Berhampur Police is taking several measures to boost security during the Pujas. It expected unveil a flotilla of day and night patrol vehicles across the city to tackle street crimes, over drunk driving,to identifiy the gambling spot and deploy more personnel, including police man and women at police stations and all police stations should have at least two vehicles.
So that, the dedicated patrol vehicles will help respond to any nature of crime in the quickest possible time and act as the facilitator between public- police and the victim.
