Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) seized gambling equipment and sharp weapons during simultaneous raids at three clubs in Chattogram city tonight.
The drives that began around 7:30pm were conducted at Abahani Club in Halishahar area, Mohammedan Sporting Club in Sadarghat area, and Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra in Ice Factory Road area, said Mahmudul Hasan Mamun, media officer of Rab-7.
During nearly four-hour drive, 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,” 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.
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.
