Obscene dance, gambling at <i>jatra</i> go on unhindered
Nightlong gambling is a common scene at places in Natore district, especially during the ongoing dry season, in the name of jatra (open air drama). The photo was taken from Mastanmore area of Sadar upazila a few days ago.Photo: STAR
Obscene dance and gambling in the name of jatra (open air drama) have been going on in several places of Natore, Lalmonirhat and Jessore districts. In Natore, obscene dance and gambling are being held unhindered at jatra at Singhardaho Mastanmore in Tebaria union of Sadar upazila and Rahimanpur field in Jamnagar union under Bagatipara upazila, reports our correspondent. Although the district administration gave permission only for jatra at the two spots, the immoral activities take place openly every night while the loud noise of speakers causes nuisance for the locals, said locals. "Every night, obscene dance and gambling are arranged at Rahimanpur under the nose of police. Now the area is witnessing an increase of theft as many youths go there for gambling," said Md Hafiz Uddin, chairman of Jamnagar union parishad. Mayen Uddin, president of Rahimanpur jatra committee, said they paid a handsome amount to the Bagatipara police and the DC office for the permission to hold jatra. Faridul Islam, officer in-charge of Bagatipara police station, said jatra is being held all over the country in the winter season. It is also an open secret that the jatra organisers arrange obscene dance and gambling in the name of jatra. Golam Sarwar, chairman of Tebaria union said that the jatra authorities have arranged this type of activities to attract the local youths. They are doing brisk business at the cost of their moral degradation, he said. Police also attend those programmes every night and collect bribe money, villagers said. Locals recently urged the authorities to stop these illegal activities but to no effect. In Jessore, a section of people having political clout are arranging such events in Monirampur upazila without taking permission from the local administration, reports UNB. Locals alleged that on the plea of raising fund for a public toilet in the locality, they arranged a variety show at Monohorpur Government Primary School ground a few days ago. They hired a circus party which is holding gambling and obscene dance there. Locals said that the circus party named 'The Rajdhani Circus' at first tried to set up their canopy at Modhupur Primary School ground. But in the face of opposition from the teachers of a nearby madrasa, they retreated from there. Later, they moved to Joynagar-Begumpur ground but failed to start business there also following pressure from the local people. Contacted, Zillur Rahman, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Monirampur upazila, said that he had ordered police to close the circus. In Lalmonirhat, obscene dance, gambling and drug sale go on openly at jatra at different villages, reports our correspondent. At least seven were injured as two groups clashed over gambling at jatra at Rudreshwar village of Kaliganj upazila on Tuesday night. Obscene dace, gambling and drug taking continued there for the last five days, locals said. Another clash took place between villagers and gamblers at Khaner Bazar village in Hatibandha upazila on Tuesday night, as the villagers protested obscene dance and gambling during jatra. Panchagram UP chairman Delawar Hossain alleged that a section of locals with the help of police have been arranging gambling every night at four points of his union. I informed it to police but no action yet, he said. Rajpur UP chairman Mofazzol Hossain said that gambling was going on unhindered in his union. Mohendronagar UP chairman Abdus Sobhan Mandol also made a similar allegation. UNO Nazmul Huda told the UP chairmen recently that he will take necessary steps after a meeting with the police soon.
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