M.R Amin, Chattogram

A large-scale gambling operation is allegedly being conducted under the guise of a fishing competition using fishing rods at Veluar Dighi in Pahartali, Chattogram. Millions of taka are reportedly being collected from the event.

According to local residents, Veluar Dighi is owned by Bangladesh Railway Eastern Zone. Although the water body was leased for fish farming, a gambling operation is allegedly being organized there in the name of a fishing competition. Railway authorities, however, appear to have taken little effective action against the matter.

The Railway Estate Department has reportedly issued a letter instructing the concerned authorities to stop the illegal activity, but has taken no further effective steps. Local residents allege that senior railway officials may have tacitly approved the gambling operation.

The organizers are reportedly offering 17 prizes worth Tk 3 million in total, while charging Tk 75,000 for each ticket. Several reliable sources claim that officials of the relevant departments and law-enforcement agencies have been “managed” to facilitate the illegal activity. Sources further allege that a significant portion of the money collected through the operation is being sought to be appropriated under the patronage of fugitive Awami League leader and former councillor Abdus Sabur Liton, with the assistance of some local BNP leaders.

According to sources, the 13.74-acre water body was leased in 2021, allegedly using political influence, by former Chattogram City Corporation panel mayor Abdus Sabur Liton in the name of his brother, Abdul Mannan Khokon. Since then, gambling events have allegedly been organized there regularly, generating crores of taka from the public. Sources claim that, unwilling to give up the lucrative business, the group has resumed the operation under the shelter of some local BNP leaders.

Previously, each ticket reportedly cost Tk 40,000. This time, however, the price has allegedly been increased to Tk 75,000, with sources claiming that the additional money is intended to be distributed among various parties involved.

According to a special source, the water body is the second-largest railway-owned pond in the region. In violation of the lease conditions, 112 fishing “seats” have allegedly been set up in the name of a fishing competition. The event is reportedly held once a week, every Friday. Sources claim that Tk 84 lakh is collected per event, amounting to around Tk 3.5 crore per month and nearly Tk 40 crore annually. After deducting prize money and other expenses, a portion is allegedly paid to local political figures and officials of various government departments, while the remaining money is reportedly sent to fugitive Liton, sources claim.

When contacted, Bangladesh Railway Eastern Zone’s Chief Estate Officer (CEO), Mohammad Lutfur Rahman, said, “Gambling in the name of a fishing competition at a railway-owned water body is completely illegal. It is a violation of the lease conditions, and such activities will not be allowed under any circumstances. Instructions have been issued to the concerned authorities to stop gambling in the name of the fishing competition.”
Meanwhile, a letter issued by the Divisional Estate Office (DEO) stated that, upon reviewing the report and records submitted by the Sadar Kachari Amin and Kanungo, it was found that licensee Abdul Mannan Khokon held a valid licence from October 14, 2021, to October 13 of the current year. However, an illegal fishing competition had been organized at the pond.

According to the letter, the Field Kanungo/Amin of the Sadar Kachari verbally objected to the event. Organizing fishing competitions, selling tickets and holding gambling sessions constitute violations of the licence conditions.
The letter further stated that the fishing licence agreement had been violated under the Bangladesh Railway Land Estate Policy, 2020. Under the conditions of the agreement, from Clause 1 through Clause 25, no fishing licensee is permitted to organize fishing competitions or gambling activities on the licensed property. Despite this, the licensee allegedly arranged fishing competitions and prize-money tickets.
The concerned authorities were instructed to take immediate action through the Railway Nirapatta Bahini (Railway Security Force) and the local administration to stop the fishing competition and gambling.
The letter also warned that the event could result in uncontrolled gatherings on railway property, creating the risk of disorder, deterioration of law and order and other unwanted situations.

It further noted the possibility of accidents, clashes or disputes, damage to railway property and environmental harm due to the presence of large numbers of people around the pond.

Copies of the letter were reportedly sent to the Director General of Bangladesh Railway, General Manager of the Eastern Zone, Chief Estate Officer (Eastern Zone), Chief Commandant of the Railway Nirapatta Bahini, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Railway Nirapatta Bahini, Officers-in-Charge of Double Mooring and Pahartali police stations, and the Chattogram Government Railway Police (GRP), requesting necessary action to stop the fishing competition and gambling.

When contacted, Bangladesh Railway Eastern Zone General Manager (GM) Md. Subaktagin said, “I have instructed the CEO and DRM/Chattogram to take necessary action.”

Chattogram Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Md. Mostafizur Rahman Bhuiyan said, “The DEO has been instructed to examine the conditions of the lease. At the same time, instructions have been given to take necessary action.