PANAJI: Following the raids against matka gambling activities and arrest of hundreds of matka bookies, the Goa police are now in pursuit of ringleaders, who apparently run the show in the state.
According to the police, matka bookies accept bets from public and subsequently these bets are handed over to the agents. A senior police officer said within a couple of days, over a hundred of matka bookies have been arrested (subsequently released on bail) and now police will go after the matka agents.
“We will track them down and action under the relevant provision of the gambling Act will be taken,” said a senior police officer adding that to curb the matka gambling activities, it will be important to trace and take action against ringleaders involved in this illegal gambling trade.
Since Monday, police have begun with a crackdown on matka gambling activities. On the first day itself, over 122 cases were booked and around 130 persons were arrested, while a few cases were booked in the last two days. The arrested persons were later released on bail.
“Owing to the crackdown, matka gambling activities have been literally suspended in the state. You won’t find or see any matka bookie accepting bets from the public,” said an officer. However on the contrary, sources revealed that in this age of technology, matka bookies are making use of mobile messaging apps to accept bets. “Even bets are being placed through a phone call. Police action has affected the matka gambling activities but they have not stopped totally,” said sources.
According to information on Thursday, Director General of Police (DGP) Dr Muktesh Chander held a review meeting on the crackdown on matka gambling activities. Sources said that the meeting discussed and deliberated on action against bookies and agents and also the issue pertaining to acquittals in matka gambling cases. During the meeting, the loopholes were examined and how the cases can be made watertight was also discussed.
It may be recalled that Chander, on Monday, during a meeting with police officers had instructed them to curb matka gambling activities with a heavy hand and had warned to take action against police officers, if they showed any kind of leniency towards such activities.