Gamblers rule village

A village cop (Gram Police) was assaulted allegedly by gamblers as he protested against open gambling at Ketkibari village in Nawdabansh union under Hatibandha upazila of Lalmonirhat on Tuesday night.

The victim, Amjad Hossain, 35, son of Mohor Ali of the village, was admitted to Hatibandha Upazila Health Complex

“Hiru Islam, Khairul Islam, Khadimul Islam attacked me as I protested against gambling,” Amjad Hossain said. “The gang had been arranging gambling in the village since long and gamblers came from different areas round the clock,” he added.

Rabiul Islam, 55, of the upazila, said the villagers did not want gambling in the village, but they didn't dare to protest against the gamblers for fear of harassment. “We complained to the police several times, but the gambling has not stopped,” he said.

Delowar Hossain, 50, of Kakina Bazar in Kaliganj upazila said, “School and college students are taking part in gambling every day."

Ashwini Kumar Basuniya, chairman of Nawdabansh union parishad, said he will free his union from gambling and other social crimes.

Abdul Matin, officer-in-charge of Hatibandha Police Station, said police are conducting drives to arrest to the gamblers those who were involved in assaulting the village cop.

TM Mozahidul Islam, superintendent of police in Lalmonirhat, said some unscrupulous policemen and union parishad chairmen and members are allegedly involved in gambling. He added that he was going to uproot this crime very soon.