IMPHAL, Oct 31: Police in Manipur’s Imphal West district on Sunday destroyed over 3,160 gambling materials (Lagao) worth over Rs 10 lakh.
The gambling materials were seized by the district police during a special drive against ‘lagao’ during the recent festive season, the police said.
Illegal gambling, locally known as ‘Lagao Khouba’, is rampant across the valley districts of the State during Diwali and Ningol Chakouba festivals.
The gambling materials disposed on Sunday were seized during a special drive by the police stations across the district, said Imphal West superintendent of police, Ksh Shivakanta.
Talking to reporters before disposing of the seized items, the police officer said that the district police launched the special drive against illegal gambling which was rampant in the district in the name of festival season.
The police officer also awarded the police stations that were able to seize the largest number of the gambling materials.
Later, the police officer awarded a cash award of Rs 20,000 to Imphal police station. The station recorded the largest number of seizures with 88 sets of ‘lagao’ materials (528 pieces).
The second position carrying Rs 15,000 cash award went to Mayang Imphal police station. The station seized 53 sets of ‘lagao’ materials (318 pieces).
Sekmai police station secured the third position by seizing 50 sets of ‘lagao’ materials (300 pieces) and it received a cash reward of Rs 10,000.
The police commando unit of the district was also rewarded with Rs 20,000 for its record recovery of 238 sets of ‘lagao’ materials (1,428 pieces).
Highest individual recovery prize went to sub-inspector L Shitaljit Singh of Imphal West commando unit. He and his team seized 51 sets of ‘lagao’ items.
Later, the gambling materials were destroyed at a disposal ground at Lamdeng in Imphal West district in the evening. (NNN)
