RAB raids 3 clubs in Ctg

Rapid Action Battalion last night seized gambling equipment and sharp weapons during simultaneous raids at three clubs in the port city.  

The drives at Abahani Club in Halishahar area, Mohammedan Sporting Club in Sadarghat area, and Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra in Ice Factory Road area began around 7:30pm, said Mahmudul Hasan Mamun, media officer of Rab-7. 

Rab seized several decks of playing cards and tally books from Abahani and Mohammedan clubs while a gambling table, six gambling chips and two machetes were recovered from Muktijoddha club, said the Rab official. 

Khorshed Alam, a member of Muktijoddha Club, told The Daily Star that they rented out floor space of the club to one Khasru four years ago due to financial constraints. 

“Khasru paid Tk 10,000 every day as rent for the last three and a half years. We did not know about his income source back then,” said Khorshed. 

Kazi Mohammad Tarek Aziz, assistant superintendent of police of Rab-7, said no one was arrested during the drives but the caretakers of the clubs were detained for interrogation.  

According to the tally books, the club members last gambled on September 18, the day law enforcers raided several “casinos” in the capital.

Executive Magistrate Nizamuddin Ahmed, who led the drives, suspected that the gamblers might have gone into hiding after the raids in Dhaka. 

Three separate cases will be filed against the authorities of these clubs, he added. 

15 ARRESTED IN BOGURA  

Police last night arrested 15 people while they were playing cards in Bogura Town Club.

SM Badiuzzaman, officer-in-charge of Bogura Sadar Police Station, said a police team raided the club based on information that some people were gambling there.

Police seized 4 sets of playing cards and Tk 1,600 from the arrestees, the OC said. 

Our staff correspondents in Chattogram and our correspondent in Bogura contributed to this report.