Katigorah’s Baruni Mela fall victim to Gambling Syndicate after extension, Obsenity at Dance Bars

Baruni Mela or Baruni Fair is held every year in Katigorah, this fair is associated with the sacred tradition of holy dip in Barak river on the day of Madhukrishna Trayodashi. This year it was on April 6 to 7. The mela too starts on the same day on the opposite bank of Barak in Katigorah. Usually, it lasts a month, but this year it has been extended for 15 days more. The centuries-old fair has now been hijacked by a syndicate which is openly running a gambling racket. Players are seen engaged in dice games, and semi-nude provocative dances are happening at the dance bars. Despite all these being in clear vision the administration doesn’t seem to care.

One month has passed and the fair should have ended by now. Even after incessant rainfall and thunderstorms, the fair is continuing. A section of the local population frequents there to place bets, gamble and another section for entertainment at the dance bars. The visuals from the inside of these closed curtain shows are not mentionable. It has now become the hub of vulgarity and anti-social activities.

Sources suggest that the reason behind extending the fair amidst this stormy weather is the business of gambling. A syndicate has developed that controls the gambling activities at the fair, and it’s under their control that gambling continues day and night. “10 ka 100”, “10 ka 100” (meaning make 100 out of 10 rupees) slogan is being promoted openly with microphones to attract gamblers. But this isn’t the end; as night falls, the atmosphere becomes even more chaotic with rowdy behaviour. At night gamblers assemble for the notorious gamble locally called “jhandi-munda”, where the stakes are higher.

According to sources, a person named “Altaf” runs this syndicate. Initially the gambling games were secretly played but as the fair matured, the fear fades and has now become the centre of attraction amongst many. When the lease of this mela is signed, the committee specifically warns strict action against any illegal acitivies like gambilng and consumption of alcohol within the premise. But the syndicate turn a blind eye to it. The syndicate is looting the poor people of the rural area that is Katigorah. Moreover, there are obscene dances happening under the guise of dance bars.

Given the current precarious situation, questions are being raised about the administration’s role in extending the fair’s duration. Just a few days before the devastating storm, various areas were already suffering damages almost daily. Houses of people in different areas were already being destroyed due to the wrath of nature. In such a calamitous situation, whether extending the fair’s duration further is logically sound or not is being questioned.