State Minister for Land and Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin on Saturday said separate facility for people accused in narcotics-related cases will be included in the proposed new prison at Jungle Salimpur in Chattogram.
He said discussions were underway over the design of the new prison, where a separate arrangement would be made for drug-related offenders.
The state minister said keeping drug dealers and traffickers alongside other inmates in regular prisons often creates opportunities for those convicted in minor cases to become involved with drug networks.
“The separate arrangement is being considered to prevent such situations,” he said.
Mir Helal made the remarks while attending an anti-drug civic rally and exchange of views meeting organised by the Chattogram District Police at the Civic Centre of Halishahar District Police Lines in the port city.
A colourful rally was also brought out after the meeting.
The state minister said many serious crimes in the country were directly or indirectly linked to narcotics, adding that drugs were a major factor behind the rise of juvenile delinquency and teenage gang culture.
“Drugs push people towards a distorted mindset,” he said, stressing that the time had come not only to discuss the issue but also to ensure strict enforcement of the law.
However, Mir Helal said anti-drug operations must be conducted strictly within the legal framework.
“Taking action against anyone merely on suspicion or unfairly creates a negative reaction in society,” he said, adding that offenders must be prosecuted based on proper documents, witness statements and evidence.
He urged lawyers and judges not to provide unfair legal benefits to people directly involved in drug trafficking and transportation.
The state minister said eliminating drugs was not possible through police and judicial action alone, calling for a coordinated social movement involving people from all sections of society.
He urged Imams, Muazzins, madrasa teachers and Islamic scholars to raise awareness about the harmful effects of drugs. He also called on teachers, journalists, public representatives and conscious citizens to join the campaign.
“Shifting responsibility onto one another will not eradicate drugs,” he said, adding that the government’s zero-tolerance policy could only be implemented through collective efforts.
He highlighted government initiatives aimed at keeping young people away from narcotics. He said sports had been made compulsory alongside academic activities in educational institutions under the directive of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, while efforts were being made to expand technical education.
He also said the government planned to build sports complexes at union and upazila levels.
“A criminal has no party, clan or race — a criminal is simply a criminal,” Mir Helal said, adding that maximum punishment would be ensured for criminals in line with the government’s commitment.
He declared Chattogram free from drugs, armed criminals and extortionists, urging law enforcement agencies to perform their duties with patriotism and honesty and asking citizens to cooperate with police in combating crime.
Deputy Inspector General of Chattogram Range Abdul Kuddus Chowdhury attended the event as the key speaker.
The meeting was also addressed by senior officials, including Chattogram Metropolitan Police Additional Commissioner, Chattogram Deputy Commissioner, a representative of the divisional commissioner’s office, Chattogram Development Authority Chairman, Director of Chittagong Medical College, local representatives and civil society members.
After the rally, Mir Helal also spoke to journalists about the local government system in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
He said various local organisations and councils in the hill region would be formed through democratic elections, adding that efforts were underway to restructure local government bodies at all levels through a democratic process.
The state minister said the government planned to update and reform the long-standing issue of voter lists for the Hill District Councils. He said many constitutional processes could not be properly implemented in the past due to the presence of unelected governments.
The current government, he added, would take necessary measures in accordance with the Constitution for the welfare of the people, particularly residents of the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
