`Housie`Sanglen raided by cops for illegal gambling

IMPHAL, April 25: Cops raided Iboyaima Sumang Leela Sanglen at Konung Lampak for illegally conducting housie draws this evening.

Lotto addicts were flushed out from the complex and later money was refunded to them by the organizers under strict vigil and directive from the police.

The raid came post an inquiry made by IFP to a high ranking police officer of the Imphal East Police department at around 7.15 today. It was found by this reporter that the Iboyaima Sanglen has been hosting Housie events on a daily basis for the past four months.

Lotto addicts have nicknamed the spot as ‘Housie Sanglen’.

Lotto or Housie games are generally conducted for aiding a specific organization with Samaritan purposes with permit from the concerned deputy commissioner.

However it was covertly culled from the organizers that some group under guise of different organizations was conducting the said gambling event’s for personal gain.

The modus operandi of this gambling mafia is to avail registration numbers of defunct organizations by offering some minimal amount ranging from Rs 2000 to Rs 5000.The name of the organizations would then be used for the lotto event with a “In Aid of” tag.

The lotto has prizes ranging from four wheelers and two wheelers, Eon model of Hyundai Company are a regular bumper prize and Yamaha R15 models, which is another main attraction for youths are another regularly featured prize.

The ticket cost ranges from Rs 1200 to Rs 1500 for the four wheelers and Rs 500 for the bikes. Normally the amount for sale of the lotto tickets should be limited to one book for a game and consists of 600 unique tickets. But, sale of more than 2/3 books is another common trend, a source maintained. This trend rakes in huge profits but lessens the chance of winning for the lotto player. “Two or three claims for the single prize means that more than one book has been sold, each ticket in the book is unique”, a source added.

An Eon model car cost Rs 3/4 lacs whereas sale of two books of lotto tickets, 1200 in number at the rate of Rs 1500 comes up to 18 lacs. It was observed that many including women are regular players at the Sanglen. The mini bumper draws having cash bumper prizes of Rs 10,000 upto 20,000 is another daily event. Thousands throng the Sanglen for trying out their luck on a daily basis making it a ‘gaming house’.

The gambling mafia uses different reasons for the fund drives including women and children welfare, sports funds, aid for farms etc. under different organizations and registration numbers. However, it was also learnt that the organizers are mainly the same persons and not different people.

Rashid, a muslim is said to be the mastermind behind the lotto gambling racket. Many ticket ushers are also found to be from various Muslim populated areas including Lilong Keirao, Kshetrigao etc.

Before commencement of a mini draw today, this reporter witnessed that the prizes were announced but later drew objections from the crowd. I an instant, the announcer immediately hiked the prize rate which reflected the telltale irregularity if the organizers.

Sources also stated that the Iboyaima Sumang Lella Council hires out the hall at Rs 5000 per day for ‘renovation fees’ of the Sanglen.It may be mentioned that the gambling has been going on for the last few months.

IFP was also tipped off that ‘protection money’s was paid to police for granting permit for regular conduct of the lotto gambling. The allegation was intimated to a high ranking police official but the charges were denied.

Later, a police team rushed to Iboiyaima Sumang Lella Sanglen, Palace Compound and stopped the housie. The bumper ticket carried the hosting organization as U.D.A. only and the prize was a R15 motorbike.However, ticket money was later refunded to the gamblers.

Police officers remained unavailable for comments as while trying to control the crowd.

IFP has been investigating fraudulent scams and exposed different scams like Visarev, Forex, Mithuna Traders etc. After the collapse of such network and illegal scams, the conducting of daily housie’s as done at the Sanglen is the latest trend. A common spot for holding the Housie was at GM Hall earlier. The gambling organizers can be held under the Public Gambling Act 1867 if found guilty according to legal experts.