Surat: As many as 150 people including women were arrested after the police swooped on 18 places to crack down on gambling on the day of Bhim Agiyaras on Tuesday.
People in Saurashtra have been traditinally indulging in gambling on this day, which falls on the 11th day of waxing of the moon that marks the completion of sowing.
The raids were conducted in Saurashtra-dominated areasa like like Varachha, Kapodra, Katargam, Sarthana and others.
Police filed several offences and seized Rs 8.60 lakh cash and 21 mobile phones.
The maximum number of raids were done in the Katargam area where police arrested 35 people. In Katargam, most of the gambling activity was found in factories where owners and workers were caught.
Varachha police also raided at two place and caught 24 people.
In other raids, Kapodra police registered three cases after arresting 20 people while Singanpor police arrested 30 people in as many cases. Chowk Bazar and Puna police have registered two cases each while Sarthana police registered one case after prevention of crime branch (PCB) raid.
On this day, people observe fast without drinking water.
“People started gambling from Monday night and continued till Wednesday morning. Every year, we raid and arrest a big number of people.”, said a police officer..
Police raided the societies, terraces, factories, godowns and public places to catch gamblers

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