Now their eyes on school kids

Even school kids are not spared from evil intention of drug peddlers in Manner Chowpathi area of Aditmari upazila.

As the area has turned into safe haven for smuggling, peddling and using drugs, the criminals are using the children to supply drugs to addicts due to strong vigilance on adults, said locals. 

Two schoolboys were beaten up by local drug peddlers recently as they refused to transport and supply drugs in the area, said family sources.

 "Two identified drug peddlers tried to use us as illegal drug transporters and suppliers but we did not respond. Instead, we disclosed their names to our parents and locals," said schoolboy Apurbo Islam, 14, son of Abdur Rafique of bordering Mannaner Chowpathi village.

"Following the incident, the criminals beat us on way to our school," said another victim, Shafin islam, 14, son of Nazrul Islam of the village.

Former woman member of Durgapur union parishad Sheuli Begum, mother of victim schoolboy Apurbo, said some identified illegal drug peddlers polluted the local environment, where living is becoming miserable day by day.

The drug peddlers have been using many children for transporting and supplying illegal drugs to the addicted people in the village, she said.

Lebu Miah, 35, of the village alleged that patrolling of law enforcing agencies especially Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) is rarely seen in this village.

"The children, aged below 15, are main target of the drug peddlers to commit the crime. The kids mainly hail from poor families," he said.

Durgapur BGB Camp Commander Ataur Rahman said as the spot is about three kilometres distance from the camp, it takes time for a patrol team to get there. A new BGB camp will be set up near the spot very soon, he said.

Superintendent of Police SM Rashidul Haque said they are taking immediate steps against the illegal drug peddlers, smugglers, users and suppliers in the area.