The police arrested three people today in a raid on the drug spot in the Ghuntighar area adjacent to the Dayaganj railway crossing of the capital. Ishraq Hossain, the former Minister of State for Liberation War, came under criticism for raiding this spot on Saturday. Later he resigned from the post of state minister.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Gendaria Police Station Moniruzzaman said that an anti-drug operation was conducted there on Tuesday morning.
According to Gandaria police sources, even after yesterday's joint operation, drugs were being sold and consumed openly at the spot. On receiving the information, the police conducted an operation in the morning. Three people were arrested and taken to the police station. All the arrested persons are drug addicts. Various drug paraphernalia including marijuana were found in their possession.
It can be seen on the ground, when the police started the operation, the people who were there tried to run away. Many escaped by climbing over the wall. Later, the police arrested three people from that area. After that until one in the afternoon, the drug dealers and doctors were no longer seen there.
Moniruzzaman, OC of Ganderia Police Station, told Prothom Alo that raids are conducted regularly at Ghuntighar. Here floating drug dealers, Seberai are frequent. It cannot be completely eliminated. Police are trying to find a permanent solution. A special campaign will be conducted after the puja is over. If necessary, full-time police will be deployed there.
Earlier on Monday afternoon, the Special Response Battalion (SRB) and the Directorate of Narcotics Control (DNC) conducted a joint operation at the spot and arrested 15 people. Later they were sentenced by a mobile court. At the same time, temporary paper shelters and shacks for drug use were demolished.
Ishrak Hossain, the then state minister of the Ministry of Liberation War, took part in the anti-narcotics operation with personal and associates at this spot on Saturday. A video posted on Ishraq Hossain's Facebook page shows him waving a firearm at the people present there. When that video spread on social media, questions were raised about a state minister participating in the operation by displaying his weapon like this. The incident caused intense discomfort and dissatisfaction within the government and its own party BNP.
In the face of widespread criticism across the country, Prime Minister Tariq Rahman ordered Ishraq Hossain to resign from the post of Minister of State for Liberation War Affairs on Sunday. Then Ishraq Hossain announced his resignation from the post of State Minister in a press conference at the National Press Club yesterday afternoon.
