Dr. Forqan Uddin Ahmed :
Bangladesh is a Muslim majority country. And in Islam, gambling is completely forbidden. However, gambling is a very familiar word in Bangladesh. Many years ago it was not so open. But in recent times, rumors have surfaced and formal casinos have been found in various parts of the country. Upon learning of the matter, the head of the government, Sheikh Hasina, expressed her anger and directed the administration to take immediate action. Recently, Rab raided the Fakirerpool Youngmen’s Club, Shahjahanpur Freedom Fighters Recreation Club, Dhaka Wanderers Club, Muktijoddha Sangsad Krirachakra and some casinos in Banani. These casinos are guided and operated by some leaders of the Jubo League, an associate organization of the ruling Awami League. Several people were also arrested at that time.
In addition to gambling, various immoral activities are conducted in the casinos. The administration has taken zero tolerance policy against them. Huge amount of monthly money were given to OC, ADC and DC’s in different areas of the capital from casinos. Donations were provided for the DB of Police. Even some high-ranking officials of Dhaka Metropolitan Police regularly took large sums of money from casinos. When traveling abroad, they got the bribe-money in foreign currency. Even some of the most influential police officers were treated at expensive hospitals abroad. The arrested Jubo League leader Khaled Mahmood Bhuiyan has given the information during interrogation by RAB and police. He claimed that out the police he did not hesitate to fulfill the demand and request of various influential leaders of the Awami League and Jubo League. He brought valuable mobile phones, gold jewelery and even expensive brand alcohol from abroad for the leaders. Khaled regretfully said for whom he did so much they did not stand by him in the day of danger. Everyone turned away. According to RAB sources, Khaled has divulged the names of several persons to the RAB. Home Minister has said that action will be taken against those if evidence of involvement in the casino business is found against them. Noon will be spared.
Meanwhile, Jubo League Chairman Omar Farook Chowdhury said at a discussion on Wednesday that the Jubo League leaders would not be arrested only if the casino business had not face a strong criticism for the silent role of law enforcement officials. Police officers in-charge of the police stations also must be arrested for their involvement in operating casinos in their areas. “They were sitting and sucking their fingers for so long,” he said. Out of anger, Omar Farooq Chowdhury also said, “Those who are now submitting intelligence reports where they were before.” Jubo League chairman’s statement went viral on social media. Many agreed with him, saying that no member of the law enforcement agency, could avoid responsibility of the casino business. And the reason behind the downfall of political leaders should be investigated. It’s a million dollar question – how the casino business where several hundred people remain involved could run within a kilometer of the important offices of the law enforcers, including police headquarters, DMP headquarters, Motijheel Police Station and Rajarbagh Police Lines. You won’t get the official answer. But on the question of morality, the common public wants to know the answers to these basic questions. They also said that no matter how many excuses and arguments may be given, the law-abiding Ministries cannot hide themselves without shouldering this responsibility.
Due to the casinos’ vibrant business, there was a regular competition among the police officials to get postings in some specific police stations in the capital. Even spending a few crores of taka, many of the metropolitan police officials had shown eagerness to get the posting of OCs in at least 5 police stations. Especially the OC post of Motijheel police station is known as gold mine as a good number of the clubs are located in Motijheel area. In addition, unscrupulous police officers from Paltan, Kalabagan, Tejgaon, Tejgaon Industrial Area, Banani and Uttara western police stations were allegedly found carrying large numbers of monthly money from the casinos. Many high-ranking police officials also got monthly money from the casino business. In fact, the money is distributed at all levels, from the responsible police officers to the police station in the area. In this regard, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Shafiqul Islam told reporters on Thursday that a list of responsible police officers in the areas where the casino operated was being listed.
Casinos have begun searching for huge amounts of money for the godfathers of the empire. It is reported that hundreds of crores of money has been smuggled abroad in addition to various kinds of trade and commerce in the country.
Several Juba League leaders have bought shopping centers, housing apartments and shops in Singapore, Malaysia, Dubai and Thailand. Ismail Hossain Samrat, the President of the Jubo League South, has allegedly made hundreds of crores of taka in the last five years. Cindy Lee, the Chinese gambling emperor’s girlfriend in Singapore, takes care of these assets. As seen in a photo in the daily Jugantor, the gambling emperor threw a huge party on Cindy Lee’s birthday. Several Jubo League leaders attended the party. Crores of taka was spent for the party. The centerpiece of the ceremony was emperor and his girlfriend Cindy Lee. At one stage of the program, Jubo League leaders took photos. Jubo League leader Armanul Haque Arman, Mominul Haque Saeed alias Saeed Commissioner, Jubo League leader Khaled Mahmud Bhuiyan, former APS Sohel alias Sheikh Sohel of Jahangir Kabir Nanok were present in the programme.
Sources say the emperor is under the surveillance of law and order. He will be arrested only after receiving the green signal from highest level of the government. Khaled, who created wealth in Thailand and Malaysia, arrested by RAB, became a billionair in a span of only 10 years. He has made at least Tk 1.5 billion through tenders in PWD, Rajuk, Khamarbari, PDB and Railway Bhavan. He siphoned a large portion of the money abroad. Khaled has invested a big amount of money in Thailand and Malaysia. He bought a two-star hotel in Bangkok, Thailand’s capital. In addition, he has purchased 4 luxury apartments in the tourist city of Pattaya. Apart from this, Khaled has secured a second home in Malaysia buying a flat for 1 crore Thai baht.
Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister and President of the Awami League, reportedly called him a monster (monster) and asked for his immediate expulsion. Sources say Khaled’s position in the first row among the Jubo League leaders who became billionaires getting extortion money. Many say he could arrange a cadre of up to 100 men in a short notice.
Our young society is getting involved with various immoral activities day by day which is pushing our society and nation towards a calamity. Be aware of yourself having the time make others aware. Keep an eye on your child. Give them time. Somewhere in the eye of such action, in fact, inform the administration. If you can, protest yourself. And if you go to all these places, skip it today. Because of today, two days after you are leaving, your child will walk the path shown by you.
(Dr. Forqan Uddin Ahmed, writer, researcher & columnist)
