SRINAGAR — In a distressing incident from Kupwara district, a local man has lost approximately ₹28 lakh due to online gaming, leaving him in such dire financial straits that he is now considering selling his kidney to settle his debts.
Speaking to Rising Kashmir under the condition of anonymity, the man revealed that he once ran a successful shop and was able to support his family comfortably. However, his life took a tragic turn when he discovered online gaming. Initially, he enjoyed some success, but soon his addiction led him to squander ₹28 lakh.
This case highlights a growing issue, as more people are falling prey to the lure of online gaming. A cyber police official warned that these games often promise quick money but lead to severe financial loss. He stated that there are no shortcuts to success and urged parents to monitor their children’s activities on mobile phones closely.
When asked how many such cases have been reported to the cyber police, the office said that people usually report other types of cybercrimes and tend not to report losses from gaming, as they are aware the money was lost due to their own mistakes.
Noor Shahbaz, a social and political activist from Kupwara, condemned the incident as deeply unfortunate. He called for widespread education about the dangers of online gaming, comparing it to the devastating impact of drug addiction.
Shahbaz urged schools, police, and the administration to organize awareness programs to combat this growing menace. He emphasized that many people have experienced both the thrill of early wins and the agony of significant losses.
The rising trend of online gaming and its detrimental effects on families demands urgent community and institutional intervention to protect future generations in the Kashmir Valley, said Shahbaz.
Danish Fayaz, a student, noted that a majority of people in the Kashmir Valley are involved in online gaming. He recounted how a friend recently fell into this trap and lost thousands of rupees in a short period. Fayaz emphasized that parents must be vigilant about their children’s activities on their mobile phones. — (RK)