Special Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 29: A trout rearing unit of Fisheries Department at Wanpora Qazigund in south Kashmir has turned into a gambling site.
Spanning over 16-kanals, the trout fish rearing unit at Wanpora Qazigund has became a permanent home for gamblers and drug peddlers.
“These gamblers gamble in full public glare. The drug peddlers have also a field day with authorities acting as mute spectators,” a local told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).
The KINS team also visited the spot and found it has become a hub of gambling. The KINS team also clicked pictures of gamblers who were gambling in full public glare.
The trout rearing unit is without demarcation. “There are four employees of the Fisheries Department but they too fail perform their duties. They are not able to guard the unit properly as it is without demarcation. Anyone can easily enter it,” another local said.
The unit is almost lying defunct. “A building was also constructed for the fish seed but has not been made functional. It was constructed at the cost of Rs 25 lakh under a centrally sponsored scheme,” an official of Fisheries Department said.
The official said there is no fencing and power supply. “This unit has been ignored by the government. The unit is nearing to its closure due to apathy by the administration,” the official said.
Even all the waste or garbage generated there is not being removed. Instead it is being dumped inside the premises of the unit.
Joint Director Fisheries Department Bashir Ahmad Bhat assured he will take the action. “You brought into my notice I will take the action. I also have received some complaints. I will visit there and see why employees are not properly performing duties. We will also ask police to lodge FIR against gamblers,” Bhat said.
