Hasina declares war on illegal drugs in Bangladesh

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced anti-drugs crackdown after taming militancy in Bangladesh.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 20 May 2018, 05:48 PM
Updated : 20 May 2018, 05:48 PM

“We have pledged that we will rescue the country from the clutches of drugs as we did in clamping down on the militancy,” she said when the newly elected mayor and councillors of Khulna City Corporation came to meet her at the Ganabhaban on Sunday.

The law enforcers have been saying for long drugs have pervaded different levels of society.

Recently, anti-drug operations were launched by government agencies in different places.

Six people were killed in so-called ‘gunfights’ with the police in six districts on Saturday night. Of the dead, four of them are said to be drug paddlers, according to the law enforcers.

Speaking at the event, the prime minister said, "You must have seen that operations against drugs have already started."

On several occasions in recent days, including at the founding anniversary of the RAB, she had asked for stringent measures against drug addicts.

At the Ganabhaban event, Hasina said families gets destroyed for drugs. “So, the campaign is now against drugs.”

“We have delegated special responsibilities to all the law-enforcing agencies, intelligence agencies and RAB. Wherever there are drugs, tough measures will be taken…we are taking stringent measures."

Drugs are taking a toll on the young people. Recently, the bus owners said the accidents are increasing on the road as the drivers are getting addicted to drugs.