NONGPOH/SHILLONG
The Joint Action Committee Against Casino (JACAC) in Ri Bhoi on September 13 threatened to start a public agitation if the state government introduced casinos in the district.
The threat comes a day after minister in-charge of Taxation, James PK Sangma, told the state Assembly that the Act on gaming will not harm locals.
An urgent meeting was held by JACAC led by its chairman BB Makdoh and general secretary Ferdynald Kharkamni, during which they expressed discontentment at the minister’s statement.
Kharkamni, while addressing a press meet in Nongpoh, said that the JACAC was deeply shocked by the statement of the minister that the process for introduction of casino is still going on, while in a recent meeting, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma had assured them that the issue had been stop for a while.
He also said that the JACAC will not entertain the Meghalaya Regulation on Gambling Act 2020-21 which had been legislated during Covid-19 pandemic and without any public hearing for relaxing the introduction of casinos in the state, while adding that the Act may be considered in regulating the traditional gambling games like teer, etc.
“The state government should focus on strengthening the education sector instead of introducing the gaming Act,” Kharkamni underlined.
Further, the JACAC has threatened to hold public agitation programmes from September 23 onward if the state government moves ahead with introducing casino in Ri Bhoi.
Meanwhile, the Hynniewtrep Youth Council decided to reiterate its opposition to any form of legalisation of gambling, online betting and casinos in the state.
The HYC pointed out that on August 28, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong had categorically said that the government has resolved not to allow the opening/operation of casinos in the state.
The council while expressing disappointment stated that the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government led by the National People’s Party (NPP) is all out to do things as per their whims and fancies and as per the suitability of their interest.
“They are not bothered by any opposition be it the public or religious bodies or traditional institutions,” the statement from the HYC said.
“We are of the opinion that these activities will completely destroy the lives of young and vulnerable men and women as well as their families, irrespective of which community they belong to or belief or faith they are professing,” the statement said.
According to the HYC, maybe online betting and casinos will bring a lot of revenue to the state but are the people willing to sacrifice the future of the youths and the society for the ill effects of these activities.
The HYC has called upon the government, all the MLAs and the officers to do some introspection and soul-searching and take a conscious call as to whether as a state it is moving in the right direction by implementing this questionable and/or debatable Act.
“What kind of a future are we leaving for the next generations? Will this decision be a boon or a bane to the present and future generations? Are we only jumping in excitement at the fact that we are earning revenues as a state?” it stated.
The HYC has demanded that the state government should consult all the stakeholders before implementing the Act in totality and in the meantime to withdraw the temporary licences issued to any person(s).