Labour leaders are allegedly going to arrange gambling and immodest dance sessions at Nawdapara central bus terminal in Rajshahi in the name of a month-long fair.
The leaders, however, refuted the allegation, saying the fair was organised to collect funds for building a hospital.
The terminal was built with the aim of reducing traffic density in the city at a cost of several crores of taka, but does not serve that purpose as buses are not stationed there.
President of Rajshahi Motor Owners Association Manjur Rahman Peter inaugurated the fair yesterday. Several top officials of labour and workers organisations were also present there.
The organisers have collected nearly half-a-crore taka from gamblers who belong to Rajshahi Motor Workers Union, a source said.
Rajshahi Motor Workers Union President Kamal Hossain Robi said the objective of the fair was to collect funds for setting up a hospital for workers.
“A company, which is one of the organisers, has already pledged an ambulance, an ECG machine and an X-ray machine. There will be circus shows and small gambling sessions at the fair,” he said.
Robi said there would be no risk of possible untoward situation if everyone cooperated.
“A fair is incomplete without gambling sessions operated on a smaller scale,” he said.
Deputy Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Tanvir Haidar Chowdhury said organisers of the fair had not yet taken permission from the police.
“The venue is under the jurisdiction of Rajshahi Development Authority, and its officials have not yet given the permission either. If they do so, we will think about it. No gambling or indecent dance sessions would be allowed though,” he added.