Dhaka, 18 Jan -“Nobody is above law. Action will be taken according to law for those who have been involved in the clash in Narayanganj and have taken law in their hands”, said home minister Asaduzzaman Khan.
He came up with the comment after inaugurating Tejgaon Central Drug Addiction treatment and rehabilitation center under Department of Narcotics Control.On Thursday, in a response to a question of journalists for the incident in Narayanganj, he said, the incident that has taken place is very sad. He mentioned the Narayanganj incident “unfortunate”.
On Tuesday, At least 50 people, including seven policemen and five journalists, were injured in a clash between hawkers and the followers of Narayanganj City Corporation Mayor Selina Hayat Ivy during an eviction drive at Chashara intersection of the city.
As the two sides got involved in a conflict, Jubo League leader Niazul Islam, also known as a flower of Shamim Osman, came forward and threatened Ivy’s supporters showing firearm.
Earlier, Speaking as a chief guest in his keynote speech, the Home Minister said, “We are committed to making our country drug free.” We are always trying to fulfill our dreams to make Bangladesh prosperous. We command our members of the law enforcing agencies that always are careful and wipe out the problem of drugs.
“Drug would be no barrier to make Bangladesh a middle income country in 2021 and a developed country in 2041,” said Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan.
Tejgaon Central Drug Addiction treatment and rehabilitation was started in 1988 with 40 beds. In 2010, 10 seats were increased to 50 seats. Due to the increase in the number of drug addicts, it has been upgraded from 50 to 100 seats yesterday.
Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry for Home Affairs Tipu Munshi was the special guest at the inauguration ceremony, along with Security Services Secretary Farid Uddin Ahmed Chowdhur. Department of Narcotic Control Director General Mohammad Jamal Uddin Ahmed chaired the program.
Tipu Munshi said that the biggest obstacle will be drug to make Bangladesh a better country. Dreaming of 2021 and 2041 will be futile if the drug can not be cleared.
Mohammad Jamal Uddin Ahmed said that there are four official and privately-run 197 approved healing centers across the country for providing medical services to the drug addicts. All the beds number 2380, but the number of drug addicts in the country is around 70 lakhs. He hoped more government cooperation in this sector for the rehabilitation of drug addicts.
He also said that from 2008 to 2017, a total of 15704 people have been provided services from Tejgaon healing center. And 43353 people from non-governmental drug addiction centers. – Staff Reporter
