Continue drives against drug abuse

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday gave directives to Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) to continue its drives against drug abuse as this menace is spreading fast in society.

"We've been able to achieve success conducting a drive against militancy. Now it'll have to be continued against drug abuse," she said.

The PM came up with the directive while addressing a function marking the 14th founding anniversary of Rab at its headquarters in the city's Kurmitola area.

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Hasina said drug abuse is spreading fast in society. Nothing can come as a bigger shock than for a family to find out that their child is addicted to drugs, she added.

"All those who produce drugs, sell it, carry it and use it are equally guilty. This needs to be taken into account and proper measures have to be taken accordingly," the PM said.

She also asked intelligence agencies, other law enforcement agencies, BGB, defence forces, educational institutions as well as family members, to be careful so that boys and girls do not get addicted to drugs.

Besides, she directed Rab to continue its drives against different social problems, including food adulteration, smuggling, fake currency and passport forgery.

Mentioning that different intelligence agencies, Rab and other law enforcers, are conducting drives against social problems, Hasina said the drives needed to be continued.

"Why is food adulterated? Now there is no scarcity of food. Bangladesh is now self-reliant in food. Alongside arranging food for our 16 crore people, Bangladesh feeds some 11 lakh Rohingyas of Myanmar who have taken shelter here," she said.

Talking about militancy, she said it had now become a global problem but Bangladesh had set an example in containing the menace.

She thanked Rab for playing a special role in curbing militancy through conducting drives against militants.

Terming Islam a religion of peace, the PM said there was no room for terrorism and militancy in any form here.

She said those who were terrorists and believed in militancy had no religion, country and nation. "They're terrorist and militants. They're the enemies of society, nation and the country.

"It's possible to contain militancy through waging a social movement with coordinated efforts of all, including guardians, teachers, Imams of mosques, other religious clerics. We've proved it...now Bangladesh is acclaimed for it throughout the world.

“Parents will have to know where their children go. There are many rich people who always run after money and think they have performed their big responsibility by giving a bundle of money to their children to fulfil their demands. They've hardly any time to know where their children go and what they do," she added.

About the pirates in Sundarbans who have surrendered, the PM said they had to surrender and returned to normal life due to the rigid stance of Rab as the elite force had intensified its drives against them in the world's largest mangrove forest.

The government provided financial assistance to the pirates who surrendered to the law enforcement agencies. If any other pirates surrender, the government will rehabilitate them and make arrangements for their livelihoods.

Regarding question paper leaks, Hasina said the drive continued against this criminal act during public examinations. "And ministries concerned, intelligence and Rab are active against the problem. I think the presence of Rab [in the drive to contain question paper leak] gives a message to them [criminals]," she added.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan also spoke on the occasion, while Rab Director General Benazir Ahmed delivered the welcome speech.

Earlier on her arrival at the venue, the PM was given a guard of honour by a contingent of Rab.

At the event, she also laid the foundation stone of Rab Headquarters Complex and inaugurated “Prerana Dhara”, a monument built in the memory of the Rab members who sacrificed their lives while performing duty.