Locals allege gambling dens led by Rabiul and Ibrahim, managed by Sitakunda Police Station OC

Own Reporter

Local residents have raised serious allegations that a huge gambling den worth lakhs of taka has been operating openly for a long time in the area adjacent to Goalini Factory on Mir Brickfield Road in Bhatiari BM Gate area of ​​Sitakunda Upazila of Chittagong. Locals claim that this gambling den becomes more crowded as the night goes on. They allege that the area has practically become a crime-prone area with hundreds of gamblers gathering every day. According to locals, this gambling den has been run for a long time under the leadership of two people named Rabiul and Ibrahim. Various types of gambling games are played every day from evening till late at night. In addition to felash khel, kite khel, paisa khel, several other types of gambling are allegedly being conducted openly. Locals claim that millions of taka are traded in these games every day and players come from far and wide to participate. Although attempts were made to contact the accused Rabiul and Ibrahim on their mobile phones several times to find out the truth of the allegations in this regard, their mobile phones were found switched off. As a result, it was not possible to get any statement from them on this matter. Locals allege that a huge drug trade has developed in the entire area around this gambling event. At the same time, they also claim that it is being used as a safe haven for various terrorist groups in the Jungle Salimpur area. According to local residents, various terrorists constantly travel to the gambling board with domestic weapons and plan various types of criminal activities. There are allegations that there is a large liquor factory on the opposite side of the entrance to the gambling board. In addition, locals have also claimed that a huge cache of domestic weapons has been built in the house of an old woman living with a cattle farm next to the gambling board. According to them, the area has now become a safe haven for armed terrorists, drug dealers and criminals. As a result, the common people are living in extreme insecurity. The residents of the area further allege that terrorists from different areas constantly come there, hang out there and carry weapons. They even claim that the planning and preparation of robberies in various places including the Chittagong-Dhaka highway are taken from that place. In addition, the locals have alleged that most of the participants in the gambling den are robbers, drug addicts, drug dealers, dacoits, thieves and members of juvenile gangs. A section of the residents of the area allege that this gambling den has been run for a long time by managing the Sitakunda police station. They claim that despite complaints being made through various channels several times, no effective action has been taken. A person who does not want to be named, who identifies himself as a regular player of the gambling den, claims that the administration will not take any action against this gambling den because a large sum of money reaches the concerned parties every day. He further claimed that the money also reached senior officials. However, it was not possible to independently verify the veracity of these allegations. Some local residents and eyewitnesses claim that they have some audio records, video footage and stills in which hundreds of players are seen openly gambling with bundles of 500 and 1000 rupee notes. They claim that these videos and audios have also reached various media workers.

The locals further alleged that earlier an online media outlet published news on this issue along with the video. In addition, after similar reports were published in several other media outlets, it is alleged that a few policemen including an SI of Sitakunda Police Station went to the spot but returned with a large sum of money without arresting anyone. However, it was not possible to independently verify the veracity of this allegation either. Although the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Sitakunda Police Station, Mohinul Islam, was called on his mobile phone several times to get his statement on this issue, he did not answer the phone. As a result, the police statement could not be obtained. Meanwhile, there is extreme concern in the area due to the ongoing open gambling, drug and terrorist activities for a long time. According to informed sources, the spread of gambling and drugs is leading to the destruction of the local youth and the law and order situation is also deteriorating. Local residents have demanded an immediate impartial investigation into gambling dens, drug dealing, arms hoarding and terrorist activities and bringing those involved to justice. They have also sought urgent intervention from the concerned administration to conduct regular raids on the spot, arrest the criminals and ensure permanent law and order in the area.