Several reports have surfaced of gambling during Diwali in Guwahati city as these activities are become rampant during the festival of lights. Many of the expensive and luxury hotels were filled with people playing card games like Teen Patti and dice games like Jhandi Munda on Monday night.

Cases of illegal gambling have risen manifold among the general population this year as Diwali had not been celebrated with much fanfare during the last two years because of the pandemic. However, this year appears to be totally different.

Many reports have also been coming from other areas of Guwahati like Noonmati, Bamunimaidam, Bhangagarh, Paltan Bazar, Hatigaon, Sijubari, Maligaon, Pandu and Jalukbari. Police said that they have started to take more strict actions now.

Meanwhile, similar cases have also been reported from Bajali district of the state. Despite the ban the police were unable to keep the gamblers in check. The gambling activities started on October 23 and continued for five days. The locals in the remote areas of the state complained that these kinds of activities ruin the youth and are a complete waste of time and money.

The president of Hindu Parishad, Hemanta Talukdar said, “In puja devotees come to offer puja and seek their blessings for better health and prosperity and also for removing obstacles of life. It is a ‘festival of lights’, not ‘gambling’. But here some gamblers are running such illegal activities in the Kharadhara area.”

“Kharadhara village under Patacharkuchi police station is popular for gambling during Diwali celebration. This gambling is harmful to society and the area is famous for Kali Puja. It’s a shame on the Bajali police. They should take action against the gamblers,” he added.

The Hindu Parishad have filed a complaint to the Superintendent of Police on October 21 and requested to keep these activities in check as they negatively impact the youth.