During the protest, the local MLA of Umroi who is also the TMC leader George B Lyngdoh accord supports the protest of the pressure group.
Digital Desk: The representatives of the
four-pressure group led by HANM, MPSO, MPUF, and RBYO thronged the entry of one
building which was alleged to be allotted as a Casino at Khanapara in Ri Bhoi
District to stage their opposition against the legalization of casinos and the
Meghalaya Gaming Act in the state by the state government of Meghalaya.
During the protest at the front gate of the
alleged building at Khanapara, the representatives of the Ngo’s expressed their
intention to meet the owner of the building but since there was no response the
members of the pressure group in anger kicked the gate of the building.
During the protest, the local MLA of Umroi who is
also the TMC leader George B Lyngdoh accord supports the protest of the
pressure group.
Speaking to the Media, Pateng Myrsing
President of the HANM expressed unhappiness over the diktat attitude of the
state government for lying to the people of the state by the statement of
Conrad K Sangma the Chief Minister who once stated that the introduction of
Casino has been scrapped by later it was found that temporary license has been
issued to three contenders who has expressed willingness to operate the Casino.
He also said that the pressure groups who
have opposed the intention of the state government will stand firm to fight
against the Casinos and gambling acts since it will adversely affect the future
of the young people of the state and will hurt the sentiment of Meghalaya which
is also known as ‘the Christian State’.
Speaking at the protest of the pressure
group, the TMC leader George B Lyngdoh, said that, the Meghalaya Gaming Act
consists of three points: legalization of casinos, online gambling, and online
betting in sports like cricket, football, and others which is to be opposed not
only the casinos but also speaking up for the removal of the law altogether.
Speaking
on the adverse effects of gambling on the youth of the state, the TMC MLA said,
“The other guidelines of the law, such as the online gaming and the online
betting, would bring huge loss to the youth of the state. Everyone possesses
cellphones and has the power in their hands to participate in online betting
and gambling, which will lead to addiction even though they do not go to
casinos. They would play at home, at educational institutions.”
Lyngdoh
also pointed out that, in the year 2019-20, the government released 1200 crores
for free, if on one hand you release the revenues and on the other hand you set
up casinos for earning revenues, the misutilization of funds is very evident.
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