Illegal, and Risky
Comes yet another revelation and yet another reminder that laws of the land are not effectively enforced. Existence of more than fifty illegal bars and guesthouses in the city can very well be construed as ineptitude on the part of the law enforcers. Besides, the fact that the Narcotics Control Department and police have so far been indifferent and, therefore, ineffective, even after specific allegations lodged against these establishments in October last year, raises an obvious question - is there some sort of a nexus? We hope there isn't.
The law enforcement agencies should swoop on these illegal establishments sooner than later before things go out of control. There are signs they might. The combination of drinking and dancing is regarded world over as dangerous. More often than not dispute among drunken youngsters on the dancing floors leads to physical violence. Some of these bars and guesthouses have dancing floors while a few can also be rented for disco parties. They have the ingredients for trouble for youngsters. A flare-up and the law-enforcers will have their work cut out.
The fact that most of these illegal bars and guest-houses are in the city's posh areas like Banani, Baridhara, Gulshan and Uttara implies presence of affluent section of the society, of people who think that law is there to bent, broken and made mockery of. Whoever they are, they shouldn't be let to toy with the law of the land.
To restore and enhance people's credibility, the system has to work properly and efficiently and that needs strict enforcement of existing law. Police and the Narcotics Control Department have the list of licensed bars and so finding out who don't should not be too difficult. Are they willing to? - ask many a cynic. Only the law enforcers can prove that they are and we believe that they can.
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