State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku has announced strict measures to eradicate narcotics, suppress juvenile gangs and maintain law and order in Dhaka district.
Tuku, who has been assigned by the government to monitor law and order and development activities in the district, made the remarks at a special meeting with lawmakers and administrative officials at the Secretariat on Wednesday.
He said people have high expectations from the government and the administration faces several challenges that need to be addressed through collective efforts.
Describing juvenile gangs as a major concern, the state minister said they are operating in different groups across the country.
“If narcotics cannot be controlled immediately, their spread will continue to increase every day. At one point, society will face serious consequences,” he said, adding that eliminating narcotics is a top priority of the government.
He instructed police to form area-based teams involving law enforcement agencies to take effective action against drug abuse.
He also directed authorities to prepare a list of drug dealers and take strict action against those identified.
Speaking about traffic congestion in Dhaka, Tuku called for bringing battery-run auto-rickshaws under control through a licensing system before the situation becomes unmanageable.
Alongside maintaining law and order, he stressed the need to speed up development activities. He asked officials to inform him about delays in development projects so that he could discuss the issues with the Prime Minister and ensure implementation.
The state minister said the Prime Minister would review monthly updates on district-wise law and order and development activities, urging officials to perform their duties with honesty and dedication.
At the meeting, participants stressed the need to build a social movement against open drug sales, juvenile gangs, robbery, theft and mugging. They also called for removing illegal shops, freeing footpaths, regulating battery-run auto-rickshaws and easing traffic congestion.
Lawmakers urged police to play a stronger role in implementing a zero-tolerance policy against narcotics.
The meeting was chaired by Dhaka Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanam.
Dhaka-1 lawmaker Khondokar Abu Ashfaq, Dhaka-19 lawmaker Dewan Md Salahuddin Babu, Dhaka-20 lawmaker Alhaj Tamiz Uddin and reserved women’s seat lawmakers Nipun Roy Chowdhury and Ferdousi Ahmed attended the meeting.
Administrator of Dhaka District Council Yasin Ferdous Murad, Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime, Operations and Traffic South) Md Tariqul Islam and Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Md Abdul Rafiul Alam were also present.
