GAMBLING OVER INTERNET A NEW CHALLENGE FOR RANCHI COPS

RANCHI: With Diwali right around the corner, Ranchi policemen are all geared up to nab gamblers — betting sees a steep rise during the festive season. However, with the Internet becoming increasingly accessible in the city, the police are faced with a new predicament — how to shut down online betting circles.

Matka — a sort of lottery in which people bet on particular numbers and get returns if the same is pulled out — has become popular in Ranchi. Matka players in Ranchi usually connect via laptops and mobiles, making it difficult for the police to track them down.

“Matka has taken various forms in the city. People need not gather at a particular space for matka — they can play it while on the move as well. The amount of money involved in the matka could be in lakhs,” said a senior officer, adding that it has become difficult to conduct raids when there is no gathering of people to gamble.

“Police are getting constant report from the intelligence department regarding groups engaged in gambling and Matka and are taking steps to stop them. We have formed a special operation group which includes over 10 personnel in this regard,” said City SP Kishore Kunal.

While gambling in the name of festival is illegal, it could also lead to law and order problems. A case in point is the death of a youth in Giridih district on Tuesday night. The police said that the deceased, identified as Pappu Ram of Dhandih village, had gone out to gamble at night but did not return home. His body was found in a well on Wednesday morning.

The police are also getting inputs about gambling hotels and residences, where businessmen and the well-off gather to play and a large amount of money usually exchanges hands. A recent police raid in the BIT Mesra police station area led to the recovery of `13 lakhs. Another bust in the Jagannathpur police station area police led to the arrest on nine people.

However, the recent the political rallies and bandhs have diverted the police from normal law and order duties.

MATKA PLAYERS IN RANCHI USUALLY CONNECT VIA LAPTOPS AND MOBILES, MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR COPS TO TRACK THEM DOWN