<i>Obscene dance, illegal acts under the guise of fair</i>

Organisers of a so-called 'adivasi mela (fair meant for indigenous people) at Balabhir village in Boda upazila under Panchagarh district have continued arranging deceitful lotteries in the name of 'lucky coupon' to fleece innocent villagers while law enforcers are turning a blind eye. xPhoto: STAR

Obscene dance, gambling and deceitful lottery are going on under the guise of 'adivasi mela' (fair of indigenous people) at Balabhir village in Boda upazila of Panchagarh district.
A couple of days after the fair started on January 7, the organisers arranged round the clock gambling at the site where ganja, phensidyl and other harmful items are sold, villagers said.
Many innocent people are becoming losers while the activities, run throughout the night, cause disturbance of students ahead of the SSC examinations.
Civil and police administrations are yet to take any action although there is no legal permission to run gambling, raffle draw and
Although the organisers claimed it to be a fair meant for indigenous people, no cultural activities of indigenous people were seen when this correspondent visited the fair on Friday.
In the name of jatra (open air drama), several groups are performing obscene dances in presence of policemen.
A public representative of Boda upazila, also a local leader of ruling Awami League, along with a few political colleagues are conducting the activities, locals said.
Admitting organisation of jatra, lottery and gambling at the 'adivasi mela' without legal approval of the administration, acting in charge of Boda police station Sub Inspector Harun-or-Rashid said, “As local ruling party men arranged it for indigenous people's welfare, we overlooked the matter. But all these activities will be stopped from tonight [Sunday].”
When contacted, leader of Panchagarh Indigenous People's Welfare Association Rajoni Kanti Mardi said, “Although it has been arranged in the name of indigenous people's welfare we are yet to get benefit from it.”
When contacted, Vice-Chairman of Boda upazila parishad Mofizar Rahman said, "No nude dance is being performed here. I have ordered the organisers not to hold any gambling at the jatra compound. We have taken verbal permission from the authority.”
He, however, declined to say who the authority is.
District Superintendent of Police Shahriar Rahman said the jatra has been permitted but obscene dance and gambling are not allowed there.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sarwar Alam could not be contacted for his comment as he did not receive his cell phone despite repeated calls from this correspondent.