Nuapada, 12/07: Khadial police conducted a surprise raid on the premises of the Badi Gram Panchayat office under Khadial police station in Nuapada district after receiving information about illegal gambling centered around cockfighting. During the police operation, 10 people were arrested from the spot and 21 motorcycles, 9 mobile phones and Rs 4,290 in cash were seized.
According to police information, the raid was conducted on Saturday at around 2 pm. A police team led by SI Babita Mahabhoi suddenly reached the spot and arrested the accused. In this incident, the police have arrested a person from Kantabanji area of Balangir district, including a person from different villages of Khadial police station area.
The police have registered a case under Khadial police station case no. 237/26 under the Odisha Gambling Prevention Act-1955 and have tried all the accused in court. ASI Arvind Meher is investigating the case, while further investigation is underway to find out if anyone else is involved in the incident.
The incident has become a topic of discussion in the Badhi panchayat area. According to locals, since such activities have been going on in the panchayat office premises for a long time, the dignity of government property is being tarnished and a wrong message is being spread among the common people. Along with this, questions have also been raised about the law and order situation.
The people of the panchayat have demanded the intervention of the administration, sarpanch and executive officers to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident, take necessary action against the responsible parties and make the panchayat office premises completely gambling-free. There has also been a demand for regular surveillance and strict inspection arrangements to maintain the security of government property and the dignity of the premises.
