Mohammad Shahjahan, vice chairman of BNP and member of parliament for Noakhali-4, has said juvenile gangs are emerging in society due to dirty politics and politics of capturing polling centres.
Speaking at an exchange meeting organised by the committee to eliminate narcotics and juvenile gangs at Sadar Upazila auditorium on Sunday afternoon, he called upon people from all walks of life to build a united resistance to eradicate juvenile gangs, drugs, and eve-teasing from the area.
Shahjahan said narcotics and juvenile gangs have become a significant threat to the nation. “If we all try together, it is not impossible to eliminate them. But if we neglect the issue and leave it alone, this problem will never be solved,” he added.
Addressing the roots of crisis, he said if society could be kept drug-free, crimes such as juvenile gang activities and eve-teasing would naturally cease. He directly blamed negative political influence as the primary source of the problem.
“Because of dirty politics, we forget today who is a thief, who is a robber, who is good, and who is bad,” he said.
He also added that “We only think about who can collect votes for me at the polling centre, who can cast fake votes, or who can increase the vote count. Criminals are receiving patronage because of these narrow interests.”
Shahjahan further added that juvenile gangs did not previously exist in the region in this manner. He noticed their importance and dominance in society have increased specifically since the inception of “mal-politics” focused on seizing polling centres for political gain.
The meeting was chaired by Noakhali Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Humayra Islam.
Attendees included Officer-in-Charge of Sudharam Model Police Station Kamrul Islam, former General Secretary of District BNP Adv Abdur Rahman, Freedom Fighter Abul Kalam Azad, General Secretary of District Swecchasebak Dal Saber Ahmed, former President of City BNP Abu Naser, and General Secretary of District Jubo Dal Nurul Amin Khan.
Local representatives, senior administrative officials, journalists, and members of civil society were also present at the event.
