Immediately after the ongoing National Parliament session ends on 30 April, the government will launch a coordinated and rigorous crackdown on drugs, gambling and online gambling across the country, Home Minister Salauddin Ahmed announced on Monday.
To save the country’s youth from destruction, a “zero tolerance” policy will be followed in the operation, the minister said during the parliament session under the chairmanship of Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.
The announcement came when Noakhali-2 constituency MP Zainul Abdin Farroque raised the issue of illegal “shisha lounges” operating behind the facade of residential buildings and restaurants in upscale areas of the capital, including Gulshan, Banani, Dhanmondi and Uttara.
“According to our election pledge to the nation, no leniency will be shown against drugs and gambling in the country,” the home minister said. “After the parliament session ends on 30 April, we will conduct a coordinated operation across the country. There is no alternative to this to save the youth.”
Accusing the previous Awami League government, the minister said that from 2009 to 2024, under the patronage of influential political figures and certain administrative officials, illegal shisha bars and drug spots flourished in upscale areas.
Currently, the Department of Narcotics Control and police are conducting regular raids in these places. On 16 and 20 April, raids in various areas including Gulshan seized a large quantity of shisha and equipment, he said.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed noted that intelligence surveillance has been strengthened to prevent anyone from changing addresses or evading administration’s watch to carry out illegal business.
“If any police member is found to be abetting these illegal businesses, immediate strict disciplinary action will be taken against them,” he warned.
Salahuddin further informed that criminals are already being arrested and brought under the law through raids in various areas of the capital. The process of identifying and shutting down unlicensed illegal establishments through Dhaka North City Corporation is also ongoing.
All law enforcement agencies at the district and upazila levels will participate in the special operation set to begin after April 30, the home minister assured parliament.
