MAPUSA
Acting on verbal complaints, the Deputy Collector of Bardez Kapil Phadte has directed Mapusa police to initiate action against illegal gambling activities near the Bastora panchayat.
The common gambling activity, known as “phat” in local lingo, has been taking place in an open field near the panchayat late in the night.
“This office is in receipt of several oral complaints that gambling activities are going on near Bastora village panchayat during the night mostly after 11 pm onwards,” Phadte said in a letter to the Mapusa PI.
He further directed the police to step up night patrolling in the areas to curb the illegal activity.
“You are directed to ensure strict patrolling in the area and to enforce the provisions of the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act 1976,” the deputy collector further said in his letter.
Ironically, the gambling activity was happening in the village when the code of conduct was in force due to the by-election in one of the wards in the village.
“When the code of conduct is in force, a gathering of people cannot be allowed in the night,” Phadte said.
Importantly, the activity was taking place near the village panchayat office.
Bastora Sarpanch Ranjit Usgaonkar informed that none of the panchayat members was aware of the gambling activity.
“There is no such activity happening during the day. But if it happens late in the night then we won’t be able to know about it,” Usgaonkar said.
He said the flying squad of Mapusa Police has come for an inquiry in the matter on Friday noon.
