‘Use of illegal arms by drug traders triggers crossfire’

Staff Correspondent: Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal reiterated that the government is firm to eradicate drug abuse at any cost.

“War against narcotics has already started . . . We must remove all sorts of drug abuse from the society,” he said at an anti-narcotics rally at BG Press field of Tejgaon here in the capital on Saturday.

Referring to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s zero tolerance policy against drug abuse, he stressed the need for increasing mass awareness and building social movement against narcotics.

“You have to inform the people of the harmful effects of narcotics, the contraband items,” he said.

Asaduzzaman asked the students and youths to say “no” to narcotics and help the law enforcement agencies arrest the drug peddlers and users.

He also urged all political leaders to work for removing narcotics from all levels.

Replying to the criticism of some civil society members, he said no incidents of crossfire took place in the country. There were only gunfights, he added.

“Crossfire took place only when drug traders are seen to use illegal arms during the anti-narcotics drive,” the home boss further said.

He said, “Law enforcement agencies are resorting to using their firearms in order to protect themselves. We won’t go easy on drug traffickers.”

Director General of the Department of Narcotics Control Jamal Uddin Ahmed presided over the discussion. Mosaddek Md Abul Kalam, Councilor Munsi Kamruzzaman Kajol, Psychologist Dr Mohit Kamal and Prof Dr Arup Ratan Chowdhury, among others, also spoke on the occasion.


risingbd/Dhaka/Mar 9, 2019/Nur/AI