VISAKHAPATNAM:Seva Spoorthi Organisation (SSO) and other organisations of Aadarsh Nagar area of the city have said they would stage relay hunger strikes shortly, protesting the inability of the police officials and the state HRD minister to close the off-course tote centre.
At a press conference here Saturday, they warned that they would stage a dharna with around 4,500 members of womens’ organisations, if the centre continues to run.
On the occasion, SSO president O Appalaraju said that a number of families were being ruined financially with the off-course tote. He said that even a large number of youngsters from Aadarsh Nagar and Dairy Farm areas were being roped in for the protest.
“The horse races organised in other metros were being telecast live on a screen at the tote. People of middle and low income groups throng the den and waste their hard earned money. Many of them even take loans to bet, and there were instances when a few persons attempted suicide,” Appalaraju added. He said that they would not hesitate to stage protests, including hunger strikes, and further take up the issue with the CM.
Aadarsh Nagar Shiridi Sai Seva Sangham member Govardhana Rao said that the senior police officials promised to close the tote since its licence would expire on March 31.