BICHOLIM: The residents of Shirgao are up in arms against matka being operated in the village, especially near government school and gheraoed the Sarpanch demanding immediate closure of the same.
It may be stated that a person from Advalpal has recently started operating matka (gambling) activities in the village and the place where he happens to carry out these activities is very close to the government high school. All this has raised concerns by the people of the village who feel that the students would be victims of the same.
In view of this one Vishwajeet Gaonkar complained to the Bicholim police in which he highlighted the concern of the villagers. Following the letter the police arrested the suspect but he was soon released on bail. Much to the surprise of the locals the person was again seen carrying out the activities at the same place.
When the villagers saw that the person in question was released and is again involved in the activities very close to the school they got enraged and gheraoed the Sarpanch demanding action.
They sought to know as to how the person is allowed to carry out these illegal activities near the school in spite of a discussion being held in the gram sabha. The Sarpanch, Sadanand Gaonkar, tried to pacify the villagers and assured to look into the matter.
“The panchayat is against all these type of illegal activities and we would see to it that the person in question does not carry matka activities in the village,” Gaonkar told the media.
Meanwhile the residents are awaiting for the next move of the panchayat so that the menace is permanently removed from the village.
