<i>Drug addicts, peddlers rule RU campus during vacation</i>
A makeshift stall selling addictives and empty bottles of phensidyl left by users at a field on Rajshahi University campus bear testimony to drug abuse there, especially during vacations.Photo: STAR
Rajshahi University (RU) campus turns into a safe haven for drug addicts and peddlers during vacation. The wrongdoers, mostly outsiders from the adjacent areas, freely engaged in illicit drug trade during the summer vacation from April 17 to May 31, as there is hardly any restrictions on the entrance of outsiders to the university campus. Several places including the premises of mass graveyard, fine arts department and Shabash Bangladesh, Shaheed Habibur Rahman Hall playground, Folklore Chattar, Juberee Bhaban playground became meeting places of drug addicts after sunset, even in broad daylight. Phensidyl, fermented liquor, heroin, ganja and rectified spirit were sold openly at the points and a large number of outsiders regularly came to take drug, sources said. "Every time the university goes on vacation, the lonely campus turns into a safe haven for drug addicts. A section of students also join the sessions", said a student seeking anonymity. Expressing concern over the unceasing situation on the campus, several teachers and officials of the university said the university authorities and law enforcers should take immediate steps to check drug abuse and trade at campus. “We have started monitoring to stop drug taking and its sale on the campus and urged the law enforcers to take stern action against the perpetrators, especially outsiders,” said RU Assistant Proctor Mustak Ahmed. Tofazzal Hossain, officer-in-charge of Motihar police station said they are keeping watch and launching regular drives against drug traders and addicts.
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