Brahmapur: In a drive conducted ahead of Kumar Purnima to crack down on illegal gambling dens, police in Odisha’s Ganjam district raided 79 dens across multiple police station jurisdictions over three days and arrested 440 people.
According to sources, Rs 11.64 lakh in cash along with 113 mobile phones and 25 vehicles were also seized.
On October 22, police targeted 42 dens under 21 police limits, detaining 250 gamblers and seizing Rs 7,09,871 in cash, 69 phones and 11 vehicles. Bhanjanagar police registered the highest number of cases, lodging five and arresting 29 suspects, while Hinjilikatu police filed two cases, arrested five people and recovered Rs 91,340.
Another 167 gamblers were arrested and over Rs 5.56 lakh, along with 72 mobile phones and 15 motorcycles, was seized from different places in the district on October 21. While 115 gamblers were arrested in a crackdown on 22 dens and Rs 2.08 lakh was seized in Ganjam police district during the day, Berhampur police busted 10 dens and arrested 52 gamblers on the day. They seized Rs 3.48 lakh and 36 mobile phone sets, sources said.
Ganjam SP Harisha B C said police were maintaining strict surveillance over illegal gambling and other unlawful activities during the festive season. He urged residents to report any illegal dens or criminal activity immediately by dialling the emergency helpline 112.
Sources indicated that the drive will continue in the coming days to keep the district free of such offences and maintain public order, noting that organised betting can fuel related crimes such as theft and robbery.
