JOIN USHome Minister K J George on Monday said the government would curb betting and gambling across the State within six months.
Replying to a call attention by JD(S) member M C Nanaiah in the Legislative Council, George said the Bangalore police had already been asked to stop all illegal activities. The same would be applicable in the entire State, he said.
George said, by amending the Police Establishment Board Act, the government was trying to bring in transparency in transfers and also ensure a crime-free environment. While requesting the co-operation of the Opposition to improve administration and prevent crime incidents, the minister concurred with JD(S) MLC M C Nanaiah that some officers were indulging in extortion and bringing disrepute to the department.
Nanaiah said illegal activities in the gambling dens of Kodagu had been drawing crowds from the neighbouring state of Kerala. Police are hand in glove with the violators. A gambling centre makes not less than Rs 20 lakh a day and the police gets not less than Rs three lakh to desist from taking action, he alleged.
Replying to him, the minister said that a special team had been constituted under the Kodagu Superintendent of Police, which had, from 2010 to April this year, raided 90 gambling units, arrested 624 people and recovered over Rs five lakh.
He said that the police were booking those people indulging in gambling as rowdy sheeters. He said strict action would be initiated against police officers favouring gambling dens.