Pledge to fight against drugs

Over 100 drug peddlers in the border areas in the district, who took an oath one year ago to give up the crime, are leading normal lives and taking part in campaigns against peddling and use of contraband drugs in their villages.

Eight border villages of Mogholhat union in Sadar upazila were known as safe dens for smuggling, peddling and using contraband drugs a year ago, but now these villages are free of drugs as the people who were involved in this illegal trade have said goodbye to drug abuse.

Azizul Islam, 36, son of Nur Jaman of Chawratri border village in Mogholhat union, said vegetable farming gives him a peaceful living, while he faced many troubles when he was involved in the illegal trade a year ago. “Getting encouragement from the Superintendent of Police (SP) SM Rashidul Haque, I took oath against drugs, and I have said goodbye to it forever,” he said, adding that he has been farming various vegetables in his four bighas of land round the year.

“Oath taking gave me a normal, peaceful life, and I and my five-member family are living better,” said Bakul Miah, 46, son of late Abdul Halim of the same village. “I used to earn a huge amount of money from smuggling and peddling contraband drugs from India, but it didn't give me peace,” he said, adding that he is now farming vegetables and spices round the year.

Moibul Islam, 48, son of Joban Ali of Mogholhat, said he got a new, peaceful life after he took oath against drugs on encouragement by the SP a year ago. “Neither the villagers nor my family members liked me when I was involved with illegal drug trading a year ago, but now I get respect from everybody,” he said, adding that he campaigns against drugs in the villages.

Mogholhat Union Parishad Chairman Habibur Rahman said former drug peddlers are earning their livelihood through farming vegetables, pulling rickshaw-vans and working in garments factories, adding that it was possible only due to the special initiative of SP SM Rashidul Haque.

The SP said he encourages people to say goodbye to drugs for building a peaceful society. “We are working to make Lalmonirhat, a border region of the country, completely free of drugs,” he added.