Port Blair, Aug 28: The Hindu Rashtra Shakti (HRS) has called upon the Lt. Governor, A&N Islands to not allow gambling activities in the Islands especially at Puja Pandals. The HRS has also tried to draw the attention of the Lt. Governor on the non-veg stalls at Puja Pandals, which the HRS feels should not be allowed.

In a letter to the Lt. Governor, the President, HRS, Shri Rakeshwar Lall informed that the legality of gambling in India depends from state to state. This means that each state is entitled to come up with its laws on local gambling activities. In A&N Islands there is no law. So far, only the states that have legal gambling are Goa, Sikkim, and Daman. On a national level, gambling activities are regulated by the Public Gaming Act of 1867.

The Hindu Rashtra Shakti Andaman and Nicobar Islands requested the Lt. Governor to take strict action against type of game, which mostly found in Ganesh Puja Pandal and Durga Puja Pandal. The Bengali Club (Inside campus), Junglighat etc. the game like, throw glass, Lucky 07 and Pick up scoring number, collect gift etc. all game comes under gambling.

Durga Puja, which falls around the same time as Navratri, is our biggest festival and it is found that in most of the Pandal the non-veg stall available outside / inside of the Pandal, observed HRS.

The HRS requested thus requested the Lt. Governor to not give any permission of Non Veg stall inside and outside of Pandal and no gambling game to be entertained this time in Public Interest.