GOLAKGANJ, April 27 � Like in other parts of the State, the illegal business of teer, lottery and gambling which is growing at an alarming proportion in Dhubri, Gauripur and its adjacent areas in Dhubri district has become a cause of grave concern for the conscious section of the local people.
It is observed that for the last one year, the entire Dhubri and Gauripur area has been completely taken over by this business. Several places of Dhubri and Gauripur area have earned notorious reputation due to the growth of this trade. Besides, the small markets and some of the clubs in rural areas have become safe places for gambling. Most of the people practicing gambling are generally from the poorer sections of the community. Some of them have become professional gamblers. It is also noticed that some Government employees of this border area are also involved in the gambling business forgetting the sanctity of their profession. Some teenage boys of the area are also involved in gambling. But, ironically, the police department and the civil administration have not taken any steps to nab the culprits who are carrying on this illegal business, unquestioned. It is unfortunate that the business of gambling is gradually becoming a flourishing trade in Dhubri and Gauripur areas.
It is alleged that there are many such illegal traders in Dhubri town and Gauripur and its neighbouring areas. A secret understanding between concerned department and these traders in making things worse. A section of conscious people have informed the concerned authorities about the mushrooming trade. But the concerned departments as well as the civil administration always try to befool the common people.
Meanwhile, the conscious section of the people of this border area also expressed serious concern over the growing popularity of lottery and teer. The popularity of teer, another mode of lottery, has caused serious concern among the conscious section of people of Dhubri, Gauripur, Bilasipara, Chapor and Agomani. This mode of gambling has been affecting the poorer sections of the society like rickshaw pullers, handcart pullers and the daily wage-earners of the areas. Dhubri and Gauripur are the two places engulfed by this business of teer. Samol Sannal, chief convenor, Dhubri Bikash Aru Pragati Manch alleged that there is a mischievous network operating in carrying out this illegal business throughout the State. He said that some evil-minded people, mostly members of mafia groups are indirectly operating this trade and the police department as well as the civil administration are helpless. If they raise their voice against these illegal traders, some more powerful people stand up before them for their rescue, he added.
Masud Akhtar Jaman, a social worker of Dhubri urged the concerned authorities to take necessary measures to stop such illegal business activities as soon as possible. Otherwise, the socio-educational environmental of these backward areas will be badly affected by these mushrooming business of lottery, gambling and teer. Local people of Dhubri have also urged the local MLA ,Jahanuddin to take necessary steps in this regard.
