Bangladesh home minister says all-out war on drugs underway

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan says the government is doing its utmost in the nationwide anti-drug operations and will not stop the ‘war’ until trafficking is brought under control.

The minister made the remarks to the media following a discussion reviewing security conditions ahead of Eid at the Secretariat on Sunday.

At least 79 people have been killed in alleged shootouts since law enforcers began anti-drug operations on May 19 under orders from the prime minister.

Human rights activists have expressed concern regarding these operations and have condemned the casualties. They have described the reported shootouts as ‘extrajudicial killings’.

The government has said that it has a ‘zero tolerance’ policy on drugs and that no one involved with narcotics will be spared.

“Operations will continue until we have control of the situation,” Khan said. “There is no set time frame.”

“We will do all we can. Nothing has been finalised. We will do what we feel is best.”

Sunday’s security meeting had come to the decision that garment workers would leave on Eid holiday in phases on Jun 12, Jun 13 and Jun 14 in order to reduce congestion on the roads, said Kamal. Garment owners have been requested to pay all salaries by Jun 7 and Eid bonuses by Jun 10.

Police control rooms will be set up at Kanchpur and Chandra to handle highway congestion during Eid, the minister said.