VASCO: Reacting to Herald expose on the illegal gambling dens operating in the port town, Power Minister and Mormugao MLA Milind Naik has said that he was shocked to read the news about gambling dens operating in his constituency and it is the duty of police to keep a vigil and to act against such dens.
He also said that he would soon write to Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, requesting him to take immediate action against the people involved. Parsekar holds the home portfolio.
“I was shocked; moreover, felt ashamed to read that few gambling dens have been operating in my constituency. I would never entertain such illegal activities in Mormugao constituency. I feel that somewhere police have failed to take action against such dens. Rather than giving vague excuses, police should have kept strong vigil, as I have now received several complaints that due to such clubs other illegal activities have increased,” he said.
Naik further said, “As far as I am concerned, I have decided to take this issue very seriously. I will ensure that no gambling den operates, not only in Mormugao constituency, but all over Mormugao taluka, in the near future. For this purpose, I will soon write to Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, asking him to take action against all people involved in such gambling dens business.”
Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza, who was in Vasco for a government function, commenting on gambling dens, said, “I too feel that such gambling dens which are social evils has to stop, but by doing so, we need to be very careful as those who are doing this operations are also part of society and not outsiders. I don’t understand as to why these things are happening on large scale, but we need to curb this menace completely, but in a proper manner.”
He further said, “Also we need to get rid of drugs, prostitution, as well as gambling. However, it is not so easy, as the same has to be phased out slowly by tightening the rules and then enforcing them. I feel had the police stopped such clubs when it started, then, more dens would never have mushroomed.”
