By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Oct. 19: Gambling has been a major problem in Nepal with law enforcement agencies arresting gamblers in different parts of the country on a daily basis. The gambling thrives across Nepal during the festival season of Dashain and Tihar and as Dashain has already begun, authorities will be increasing their surveillance to minimise gambling.
According to Nepal Police, they have deployed over 48,000 police officers throughout the country to strengthen security during the festival season. Along with intensifying security, the officers will also be preventing activities termed illegal and criminal by law.
On Saturday night, District Police Office, Kailali arrested 13 gamblers from Ward 13 of Dhangadhi Sub-metropolitan City with five packs of cards and Rs. 235,150. A day earlier on Friday, Banke District Police Office had also arrested 13 gamblers from Ward 19 of Nepalgunj Sub-metropolitan City with two packs of cards and Rs. 49,280.
“Gambling has been one of the illegal activities taking place throughout the country every day. We have arrested many gamblers over the years but gambling still continues; it, however, thrives more during Dashain and Tihar citing festival season,” said Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kuber Kadayat.
During the festival season, police increases its surveillance over suspicious places such as some individual house, hotels, restaurants, guest houses and resorts, among others.
In the Tihar of 2019, Metropolitan Police Beat, Maharajgunj had arrested 25 individuals from the house of Bikram Gautam with over Rs. 26 million in cash and Rs. 300,000 worth bank cheques. As per the police, all the arrested spent and celebrated Tihar in prison.
“Gambling is illegal, yet it thrives. Gambling increases during Dashain and Tihar by relating festival with gambling, which is wrong,” said SSP Kadayat.
As per the data of Nepal Police, 2,869 gamblers were arrested in 2018/19; 2,824 in 2017/18; and 1,504 in 2016/17. Even the numbers show that many gamblers are being arrested every year following continuation of gambling.
“There are many gamblers in a gambling spot. It is illegal due to which we take action against them, but this year gathering increases risk of COVID-19 transmission. The risk is higher among the gamblers gathered together,” said SSP Kadayat.
As per the authorities, they request the public to remain at home, not gamble, stay safe and not play a role in spreading COVID-19 transmission during the festival time.