Obscene dances, gambling in the name of Eid fair
Kids take part in gambling at an Eid mela (fair) at Moharajpur village under Chapainawabganj Sadar upazila. Obscene dances and sale of harmful drugs are also going on at the fair as law enforcers turn a blind eye to the immoral acts.Photo: STAR
Obscene dances and gambling are going on at Moharajpur Eid Mela (fair) in Sadar upazila of Chapainawabganj district under the nose of law enforcers and local administration. Abdul Wadud, lawmaker from Chapainawabganj-3 constituency, inaugurated the fair on Eid Day. Although the district administration gave permission only for fair, the immoral activities are held openly every night while non-stop loudspeakers causes nuisance for the locals. Obscene dances and gambling are arranged in the name of variety show at the fair where ganja, phensidyl, liquor and other harmful drugs are also sold, locals alleged. A local Awami League leader in association with some party men has arranged the fair at a mango orchard at Moharajpur village. Though there is no legal permission to stage jatra (open air drama) at the fair, several groups are performing obscene dances in the name of jatra in the presence of law enforcers, the villagers said. While visiting the fair on Sunday, this correspondent saw all immoral activities going on openly and in the presence of police and fair organisers. A resident of Moharajpur village on condition of anonymity said his son, a class nine student, went out of the house on Saturday night. “Knowing the matter at around 11:30pm, I went to the fair and saw him sitting at a stall where gambling was going on,” he said, adding that school and college going students are also taking part in card games at the fair. Mokhlesur Rahman, President of Moharajpur fair committee and chairman of Moharajpur union Parishad admitted to running gambling and dances at the fair without taking permission from the district administration. Talking to this correspondent, one of the organisers told this correspondent that they gave money to some journalists to publish reports in favour of them. But the president of the fair committee said he was not aware of it. Golam Mortuza, officer-in-charge (OC) of Sadar Model Police Station said they did not get any objection from the villagers. “If the organisers have arranged gambling and obscene dance at the fair, we will take action against them,” the OC added. Contacted, Deputy Commissioner Dr Shah Alam said permission was given only for Eid fair. “I will look into the matter and take necessary steps in this regard," he said.
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