Md. Masud Khan, Munshiganj

A surge of unethical, anti-social, and illegal activities in the name of houseboat tourism on the Padma River in Louhajag alleged . Residents have expressed their outrage over these practices.

Allegedly, houseboat owners have involved local youths in these activities to sustain their unlawful businesses, raising concerns about severe moral degradation among the younger generation.

While visiting the spot on Wednesdsy it was observed that several houseboats and cruise boats were operating in the Padma River near Bejgaon Union’s Bagher Bari and the residence of UP Chairman Faruk Mridha.

While these boats claim to offer tourist excursions, they are reportedly facilitating illicit activities. At Bagher Bari, three houseboats were inspected. These boats feature narrow hallways flanked by small cabin-like rooms, each equipped with beds. These rooms, under the guise of tourist accommodations, are allegedly being used for illegal and immoral activities, including prostitution.

Local residents allege that young men and women frequent these boats, renting rooms for unethical purposes under the pretext of tourism. They warn that if immediate action is not taken, the youth of the area might fall victim to such immoral activities, further eroding societal values.

Further investigations revealed that none of these houseboats possess the required marine or survey certificates, making their operation on the volatile Padma River both illegal and risky. Additionally, the boats lack certification from the Bangladesh Tourism Corporation, yet they exploit the guise of tourism to enable unethical behavior.

Akash Ahmed Bidyut, a local resident, commented, "Almost every night, I see girls in shorts boarding these boats with some boys. They cruise around and engage in various inappropriate activities. This is creating curiosity among the local youth, who are at risk of being influenced by such behavior, which could lead to disastrous consequences for our community."

When questioned about these allegations, Imon Hossain, an engineer aboard the MB Dahim boat anchored at Bagher Bari Ghat, denied any illegal activities. "We brought 8-10 houseboats from the haor region of Kishoreganj to offer Padma River tours. Through online platforms and Facebook pages, we charge tourists Tk 2,000 per person for a full-day tour, including meals and accommodations in the cabins," he explained.

Meanwhile, Louhajang UNO Md. Zakir Hossain addressed the allegations during a law and order meeting on January 21. He stated, "We have received complaints from locals about unethical activities on these houseboats and cruise boats.

We have warned the operators to cease any illegal activities and instructed them to obtain proper permissions. We are actively monitoring the situation and will not tolerate any illegal or immoral activities."