Cox’s Bazar, Feb 16 – A total of 102 Yaba dealers surrendered to the police yesterday in presence of Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan in Teknaf of Cox’s Bazaar.
The one of a kind event titled “Surrendering program of drug traders for returning to normal life” was arranged by the government to give the drug dealers a chance to go back to the normal life.
Among the drug dealers who had surrendered there were 12 members from the family of infamous former lawmaker Abdur Rahman Bodi.
They are–four brothers of Bodi–Abdus Shukkur (33), Aminur Rahman alias Abdul Amin (41), Shafiqul Islam alias Shafiq (29) and Faisal Rahman (29).
Besides, Bodi’s nephew Shahed Rahman Nipu (33), cousin Kamrul Hasan Russel (35), another cousin Maung Aung Thiain (48) and others family members are Sayed Hossain, Sahed Kamal, Maruf Bimn Khalil, Jamal Hossain, and Mohammad Alam surrendered to the police.
Though Abdur Rahman Bodi acted as a coordinator of this process earlier, he was not seen at the program yesterday.
They were brought onto the stage set for their surrender at 10:30 am from a safe house where they have been kept, said sources.
The formal surrender came after a massive anti-narcotics crackdown since May last year. However sources said it was more than one hundred and fifty suppose to surrender.
According to police sources, among the 102 drug peddlers who surrendered, 35 are yaba godfathers. Arms and Yaba recovery cases will be filed against them.
Inspector General of Police Javed Patwary and Lawmakers of the four constituencies in the district — Shahin Aktar Chowdhury, Jafar Alam, Ashek Ullah Rafiq, and Saimum Sarwar Komol — were also present at the surrendering ceremony in addition to the home minister.
Superintendent of Cox’s Bazar Police (SP) AKM Masud Hossain in his welcome speech said a total of 1,461 cases have been filed against the drug peddlers in the district since May last year and 1,583 persons were arrested in the cases.
Also, 53 persons were killed in gunfights with police and with rival groups, he also said.
The assets of those who surrendered today will be brought to the book, the SP added.
Two separate cases (drug and arm) will be filed against the surrendered peddlers and they will sent to jail, said the SP “There will be no scope of General Amnesty; everything will be according to law,” said the SP
Home Minister Asaduzzaman also called on others to surrender and said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has taken the position of not giving any concessions to the drug traders.
Home Minister said in his speech that there is no excuse for drugs, no one will be spared.
The Home Boss also directed the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) to tighten the security across the border.
“We need to save our country. There will be no Yaba Godfather left in hidings,” said the Home Boss.
“Not only Teknaf but also Bangladesh should be free of Yaba. Legal action will also be taken against any law enforcers involved with the drug trafficking.
The minister said to the surrenders that you seek forgiveness from Allah, please try to be good and come forward to build a good nation.
“Those who have not surrendered, they quickly surrender to law.
Otherwise, no matter how powerful Yaba trader is, they must be brought under the law,” also warned the Minister.
Md. Javed Patwari also urged other smugglers to surrender.
“I want to send a strong message to those who are still behind the scene you. Surrender, otherwise strict action will be taken,” he mentioned.
If any of the law enforcers are involved in drug trafficking, the police chief warned of taking strict action against them, he said.
The Police boss said that everything will be done to ensure those who surrender; legal help will be given to them. Within a short time the process will be ended.
Javed Patwari also plans to organize such surrender in every district of Bangladesh.
By announcing to continue the campaign to eradicate the Yaba, he said, “We will eliminate the drug Inshallah.”
Three Yaba peddlers also spoke in the program. One of the peddlers Md Siraj regretted for his drug dealing activities and he also urged other to shun the drug business and back to normal life.
“I used to do Yaba business before but later I realize that this is bad for nation this. They youth generation of our country destroyed for this business. Due to Yaba business reputation of Teknaf is down day by day. Even people feel embarrassed when someone introduces him/her as a residence of Cox’s bazaar,” said Md. Siraj.
He said, ‘I realize my mistake and left the business and surrendered. I want Yaba business to be closed. We request all of you to those who have made Yaba business that everyone looks at us hatred in their
eyes, please let leave this business,”
“The reputation of Cox’s Bazar district, despite many of its achievements and developments, is at stake because of the drug trade in this region,” also said the IGP adding that “I am saying with a note of warning that those who did not surrender on Saturday will face dire consequences”.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced a “war on drugs” in May 2018 after a reported rise in the sale and use of methamphetamine.
Following the announcement, law enforcement agencies launched a nationwide anti-drug drive. The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) launched its drive on May 4 and the police on May 18. – GW News Desk
