The Joint Action Committee formed to oppose casinos in Ri-Bhoi was left shocked yesterday after cabinet minister James PK Sangma informed the Assembly that three applicants have received temporary licences to operate such facilities in the district.
The JAC’s disappointment comes after a recent meeting with the Chief Minister, who had reportedly told the committee that the government had halted its plans to open casinos.
Today, the JAC said that it would launch an agitation from September 23 to scuttle the casino plans if the government tries to go ahead with them.
JAC chairman BB Makdoh and general secretary Ferdynald Kharkamni expressed deep discontent against the statement of Sangma, who also said that gambling will not affect the sentiments of the local people in Ri-Bhoi.
Kharkamni said that the Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act 2021 did not have a public hearing and opined that it would be better if the government focused on strengthening the education sector and improving employment opportunities in other ways than in promoting gambling, calling it an “unwanted temptation”.
