Gambling thrives under monsoon cover

KOCHI: With the regular police patrolling getting affected by the monsoon rain, there has been a spurt in gambling cases in the rural areas of the district, in which huge amounts are exchanged. For those looking to make a quick buck, the lure of playing cards is often irresistible, which allows them to make money sitting in their favourite dens. In the last four days, the Rural Police registered three cases and arrested 29 persons on charges of engaging in gambling, popularity known as 'panni malathu,' and recovered more than `7 lakh in cash from them.

Interestingly, the majority of those arrested by the police for gambling were graduates, indicating the rising popularity of this form of gambling among educated youth.

In the latest such incident, the Muvattupuzha Police conducted raid at Sree Moolam Club in the town on Sunday early morning and arrested nine persons for engaging in card-based gambling. The police also recovered `3.81 lakh from them. Last week, the Shadow Police had busted a 10-member gang that was engaged in gambling at a rented house at Allunkal near here. The police also seized around `1.91 lakh from the arrested.

In another incident, ten persons were arrested at Nadukkavu near Vazhakulam for the same offence. The house of Salu of Chalil Veettil, Avoly, the first accused, was used for the gambling activities. Also, a total of `62,290 was seized from the house.