Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) Director General Benazir Ahmed has requested not to spread rumour over the number of casinos operating in Dhaka city.

He also asked journalists to give him the list that they were reporting on.

“We are seeing stories based on assumption and characters have been assassinated. These are not right. Some of you [journalists] are saying that there are 60 casinos, some are saying 150 while some are saying 600,” he said.

“Where is the list, brother?” the Rab DG asked the newsmen.

When a journalist asked, “On what basis are you conducting operations then?” Benazir said, they are conducting drives based on the list that they have.

The Rab DG came up with the comments while talking to the journalists after a mock terror drill in Banani area this afternoon.

“All casinos are now closed. We have dismantled all the casinos,” the Rab DG said.

“I request you not to spread any rumour and panic among the people. The country will be affected,” he said.

“I made a clear statement. We are conducting drives to stop casinos. We have dismantled casinos. That’s it… You say where the casinos are operating now. We have dismantled all.”

The rumour of some 60, 150, 600, 1000 casinos, is not a good thing as it will hamper the main goal, he said.

The Rab DG requested not to blow out of proportion so that its credibility gets damaged.

The country woke up to this underworld operation when Rab conducted a crackdown on September 18, discovering Las Vegas style gambling rackets dealing with crores of taka in Dhaka.

The law enforcers started the drive against illegal casinos, bars and spa centres on September 18 and already arrested some top leaders of the ruling Awami League’s youth front Jubo League and other associate bodies.