Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said the government would prepare an impartial list of top drug traffickers as part of its efforts to curb drug smuggling, prevent the spread of narcotics and strengthen drug control across the country. "We will prepare the list of top drug traffickers impartially. The task force committee will compile a neutral list of drug smugglers and traders. Further steps will be taken based on that list," he told journalists after a district-level meeting on drug prevention and improvement of law and order at the Hill Down Circuit House in Cox's Bazar last night.
Enhanced Measures Against Drug Trafficking
The minister said the government had decided to establish camps along drug trafficking routes through joint operations or in coordination with local law enforcement agencies. "Besides land routes, drugs are being smuggled through rivers and sea routes. Instructions have been given to intensify patrols by the Bangladesh Navy and the Coast Guard on those routes," he said.
Additional Security and Registration Measures
He also said a decision had been taken to register fishermen and fishing vessels in Teknaf and Ukhiya to help identify drug traffickers. The minister said proposals had been placed before the relevant authorities of the Bangladesh Army to establish two camps in Teknaf to prevent abductions centered around the hilly areas, adding that discussions were underway.
Stakeholders in Attendance
The meeting, chaired by Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md. A. Mannan, was attended by lawmakers Shahjahan Chowdhury (Ukhiya-Teknaf), Alomgir Mohammad Mahfuz Ullah Farid (Maheshkhali-Kutubdia) and reserved seat MP Shamima Ara Swapna. Other attendees included Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Md. Mizanur Rahman, Department of Narcotics Control Director General Hasan Maruf, Cox's Bazar Development Authority Chairman Jasim Uddin, Zila Parishad Administrator ATM Nurul Bashir Chowdhury, Cox's Bazar Superintendent of Police ANM Sajedur Rahman, BGB Ramu Sector Commander Colonel Mohiuddin Ahmed, Commander of Cox's Bazar 34 BGB SM Khairul Alam, RAB-15 Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Mostafizur Rahman, 14 Armed Police Battalion Commanding Officer (Additional DIG) Siraj Amin, 8 APBn Commanding Officer (Additional DIG) Riaz Uddin, senior government officials, representatives of political parties and social organisations.
