PUBG ban row: Goa IT minister calls for restrictions; describes PUBG as "a demon in every house"

Goa Information Technology Minister Rohan Khaunte Sunday said a law was needed in the state to curb online multi-player game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, popularly called PUBG.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a government event in Porvorim near here, Khaunte said the game had become a "demon" in every house and students were engrossed in playing it and neglecting their studies.

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"I am not aware of states banning PUBG but some law has to be made to ensure there is a restriction on it in Goa," Khaunte said, adding that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar should take a call on such a ban.

"PUBG has become a demon in every house. Students, instead of studying, are engrossed in playing PUBG," he claimed.

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Earlier, in January this year, the Gujarat state education department had issued a circular directing its district primary education officers (DPEOs) to take necessary steps to enforce a ban on the game in primary schools.

PUBG is a battle game developed by a South Korean firm and is a best-seller in the online gaming market.