OTV Impact: Police Raid Gambling Den In Berhampur, 15 Arrested

Berhampur: A day after OTV telecast a report regarding a spike in cases of illegal betting and gambling during festive season in Ganjam district, police swung into action and launched a massive crackdown on a gambling den on Thursday.

Acting on a tip-off, a special team raided a house at Bhimarao Petasahi area under Town Police limits and arrested 15 gamblers from the spot last night.

This apart, five motorcycles, 16 mobile phones and Rs 7.68 lakh cash have been recovered from the accused during the raid. It is being said that the gambling den was on the radar of police for quite some time, but the cops had been unsuccessful in launching the raid.

It is pertinent to mention here that gambling and betting are rampant during festival season like Durga Puja, Kumara Purnami in the district. In the last two months, more than 20 cases of gambling have been reported from the district with police arresting as many as 200 people in this connection.

In its report, OTV had highlighted about such illegal activities which have ruined the lives of several people in the district. Resentment was also brewing among people as they alleged that such gambling units are the main source of criminal activities like chain snatching and others.