Fair or gambling?

Local people demanded immediate steps to stop gambling at a fair in Birganj upazila of the district.

They made the call at a human chain at Kuritakia village yesterday.

Md Taslimul Alam, chairman of the union parishad, said local influential person Tofazzal Hossain Raja organised the fair on March 9 and since then gambling and drug peddling have been taking place there.

Despite repeated pleas, the authorities concerned are yet to take any steps to stop the gambling at the fair, said President of Paltapur union Awami League Abdur Rahman.

Despite repeated calls, this correspondent could not reach Raja for his comment on the issue as his cellphone remained switched off.

Birganj PS Inspector Mohseul Goni said they did not give permission for the fair, but Raja held it after getting a High Court order.

They have stopped the fair, he said.

But, the fair continued as of filing of this report around 5:30pm yesterday.