Law Minister orders action against drug offenders regardless of party

Law enforcement agencies must take action against anyone involved in drug trafficking or related crimes regardless of political affiliation, Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman said.

“Whether they are from the ruling party or the opposition, your hands should not tremble when arresting anyone involved in the drug trade or acting as a drug kingpin,” he said at a law-and-order and development meeting at the Bagerhat deputy commissioner’s conference room on Tuesday (September 15).

The minister said law enforcement officials should bring anyone facing credible allegations under the law, regardless of their political influence. He specifically urged them not to spare even powerful leaders of his own party, the BNP, if they were found to be involved in protecting drug offenders.

As an example, Asaduzzaman said police recently informed him of allegations against a BNP union-level leader from his constituency who was accused of drug use and involvement in the drug trade. He said he instructed police to arrest the man, whose drug test later returned positive and who was sentenced to one year through a speedy trial.

“Whatever action you would take if he belonged to another political party, take the same action if he belongs to the BNP,” the minister said.

He also urged political leaders not to interfere in drug-related cases, saying allegations should be investigated and suspects brought before the law. He stressed that bail, when granted by a court, is a legal right, but said police must ensure that accused persons do not evade the law after being released.

At the meeting, Asaduzzaman also alleged that thousands of BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami activists had been subjected to enforced disappearance, extrajudicial killings and “false” or “ghost” cases during the previous 16–17 years.

He claimed more than 4,000 BNP activists were victims of enforced disappearance or “crossfire” killings and that around 700 were forcibly disappeared.

These figures were claims made by the minister at the meeting and were not independently substantiated in his remarks.