Bangladesh home minister says all-out
war on drugs underway
Se
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.
by: bdnews24