Dharna against illegal matka, lottery business

Byndoor, Karnataka, Apr 18 (UNI) Over 50 activists of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike today staged a dharna at Hemmady near here, demanding that the State Government take immediate steps to stop illegal matka and lottery business in Kundapura taluk.

Waving flags near the venue of inauguration of two vented dams, the activists, led by its President Shivarame Gowda and Secretary Premkumar Shetty, demanded district incharge Minister Dr V S Acharya that the Government should take stringent steps to arrest matka kings operating in the taluk because of which several families have lost their life and others have ended up on the road.

Mr Gowda and Mr Shetty alleged that the matka kings were operating in Kundapura taluk with the blessings of the police. After the State's ban on lottery, illegal matka business had spread to villages. If the Government and police failed to take proper steps to curb this illegal business, the Vedike would launch agitation against people's representatives and the Government, they warned.

UNI