ZCZC
BSS-51
HASAN-BNP-CASINO-LEAD
Casino culture introduced during BNP regime: Dr Hasan
RAJSHAHI, Sept 24, 2019 (BSS) – Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said casino culture had been introduced during the regime of BNP government and the then government had not taken any step against it as many of its top leaders were behind this ill business.
“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has launched stringent drives against the abuse of drugs and other wrongdoers and these people will be brought to book in phases,” he told reporters at a press briefing at Circuit House here.
Through ‘Hawa Bhaban’ many of the BNP leaders used to receive ten percent commission from the business, Dr Hasan said, adding that Tarique Rahman had been sentenced to ten years imprisonment for his involvement in corruption.
Replying to a query, he said it is needed to look into the matter whether any provocation of internal conflict of Chhatra Dal behind the attack in Dhaka University or not.
The information minister said the court has imposed an injunction on the Chhatra Dal council as its former religious affairs secretary submitted a petition before the court against the council.
He said the court has also given a stay order on all activities of the newly elected body of Chhatra Dal after the council. In such a condition, it is needed to look into the matter whether any provocation of internal conflict was behind the attack or not, he added.
The information minister thanked Sanjit Chandra Das, President of Dhaka University unit of Chhatra League, for expressing sorrow to the journalists who were injured in the attack.
Political Adviser to the Prime Minister HT Imam also talked to journalists on the casino issue saying that six to seven persons, whose names have so far appeared in casino business investigation, were patronized by BNP leaders Mirza Abbas, Sadeque Hossain Khoka and Mosaddek Ali Falu.
He said most of the wrongdoers, whose names have appeared in the media in connection with the casino business, infiltrate into Awami League from BNP and its associate bodies.
Imam, however, said that Awami League is a clean and transparent political party.
The political advisor said the current drive is not against Awami League. “We always believe in clean politics. Drastic action will be taken against all the intruders soon,” he added.
Later, HT Imam and Dr Hasan Mahmud attended a youth carnival organised by Awami League sub-committee on Publicity and Publication at Shilpakala Academy.
BSS/Asg/AH/PSB/MRU/2049hrs