Crackdown will continue but drug offenders should be helped to reintegrate in society: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced that the war on drugs will continue but said opportunities will be created for offenders willing to return to ‘normal life’ to reintegrate into the community.

Her remarks came on Sunday amidst the news that a group of ‘listed’ drug traffickers have agreed to surrender to police.

The prime minister met the top home ministry officials on Sunday as part of her inspection of different ministries and directorates after she formed government for the third consecutive term.

“We can understand the plight of a family having a drug addict in their midst,” she said, “That is why we have to conduct the campaign more extensively.”

Hasina stressed the need for raising public awareness about the ills of drug addiction and running campaigns by involving people from all levels of society.

“It’s not that the offenders will correct themselves if we take action against them.  Rather, it is very important to bring them back to a healthy lifestyle," she said.

The prime minister also highlighted the recent incident of pirates and bandits in the Sundarbans returning to the normal way of life by surrendering to the authorities and the government helping them rehabilitate.

There have been news of death of suspected drug traffickers in ‘shootout’ with the law-enforcing agencies throughout the country almost every day since the crackdown began in May last year following the prime minister’s directive. However, it has not been possible to end drug trade.

At the start of 2019, there was discussion at the government high-up about giving opportunities to yaba traders to surrender themselves.  Later, the matter began to take shape when a group of ‘marked’ drug traffickers in Cox’s Bazar contacted police and expressed interest to turn themselves in.

There have been reports that a hundred ‘listed drug traffickers’ have gathered at some place in Cox’s Bazar under ‘safe custody’.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal had said the formalities regarding the surrender were expected to be completed within Jan 30 or the first week of February.

The drug offenders will go back to the illegal trade if they do not have enough scope for rehabilitation, said the prime minister during her meeting at the home ministry, adding that the war against drugs should continue.

“We need to adopt multiple measures to find out the drug traffickers, users and create a drug-free society. Those who want to return to their families and society should be given enough opportunities,” Hasina insisted.

She directed extension of the services of drug rehabilitation centres to treat the drug addicts and also to engage the public on top of the law-enforcing agencies.

Hasina described corruption, terrorism and drugs as the ‘black disease’ of society and promised to do whatever is needed to eliminate them.

“We need to free the country of drugs, violence, terrorism and corruption to make it a developed one. Those working in this ministry should aim for that.”

Following the terror attack on Holey Artisan Bakery on Jul 1, 2016, awareness campaigns were launched amidst anti-militant operations by the security agencies involving school and college students, university teachers, guardians, imams, religious preachers and people from different strata of society.

“It became easier to curb terrorism once we got everyone on board and created awareness on the issue. We should continue doing that,” said the prime minister.

Describing terrorism as a ‘global problem,’ Hasina thanked everyone in the home ministry and others involved for being able to ‘skilfully control terrorism in a densely populated country.’

The prime minister focused on corruption saying social development gets hamstrung by it.

The Awami League chief blamed the past governments for the prevalence of corruption in the country.

“In any country, when a military dictator assumes power, they destroy society at the beginning. They choose corruption as their policy and provide opportunity for others to adopt it. Be it loan defaulting or any other corruption issue in Bangladesh today, it was initiated by those who had ruled the country after 1975.”

Hasina urged the officials to restore discipline in society.

The prime minister also gave directives to reduce the traffic congestion on the streets and stressed more underpasses and overhead footbridges. He also highlighted the need for awareness among ordinary people and the drivers.

Bangladesh has received international recognition as a developing country which it has to maintain and move forward, she said.

“We should elevate the country from developing to a developed one. And we have to ensure the safety of our people as well as implement our development projects effectively for that.”

Hasina assured the law-enforcing officials that they will be provided with cars, speedboats and other facilities to ensure their mobility.

Home Minister Kamal delivered the welcome speech. High officials from the Public Security Division and other directorates under the home ministry were also present.