Kathmandu, October 13

Police raided gambling dens covertly operated in different places of Kathmandu and arrested 26 persons yesterday.

As many as 21 gamblers were arrested from a rented house in Arubari Simaltar of Gokarenshwor Municipality-9. Police said Rs 1.89 million in cash and cards were confiscated from the gambling parlour. According to officials, Ramesh Tamang of Kapan had rented the house for the purpose of running the gambling business. He was among the arrestees. In another incident, five persons including Krishna Bahadur Chhetri were held from a house in Budhanilkanta Municipality-10. Police said Rs 16,165 was confiscated from the gambling den. According to Metropolitan Police

Office, it has stepped up crackdown on gambling in Kathmandu valley in view of festive season. Gambling is common during Dashain and Tihar, with many houses, pubs, bars, hotels and restaurants and street corners turning into gambling parlours.

MPO Spokesperson and Senior Superintendent of Police Shyam Lal Gyawali said crackdown on gambling to maintain law and order in society was among the top priorities in their security plan during the festivals. All of the gamblers have been booked under the Gambling Act-1963. According to police, the law is, however, not stern enough to punish gamblers and operators of gambling dens as they easily get off the hook by paying a mere fine of Rs 200 and four-days in police custody.

After police intensified vigil on casinos to curb the entry of Nepali gamblers,casino frequenters have switched to gambling dens covertly operating in houses, hotels, restaurants and private houses. According to police, gambling and crime are interlinked as gamblers are more likely to be involved in criminal activities.