Arrest Drug Godfathers Even If From BNP: Law Minister
Bangladesh Law Minister Md. Assaduzzaman instructed law enforcement agencies to take strict action against drug traffickers, regardless of their political affiliation or personal opinions. He gave these directives while speaking as the chief guest at an exchange of views meeting on law and order and development at the Bagerhat District Commissioner’s Conference Room on Tuesday (September 15). Emphasizing that law enforcement officers must maintain absolute neutrality, he assured them that the government will fully support their actions against criminal elements.
Addressing the law enforcement officials, the minister urged them to maintain a strict zero-tolerance policy toward drug offenses and execute their legal duty without fear. He explicitly stated, ‘Even if a ruling party or opposition leader is involved in drug trafficking or acts as a drug godfather, your hands should not tremble to arrest them.’ He further added, ‘No matter how powerful they are, even if a powerful leader of BNP, the political party from which I was elected as a Member of Parliament, attempts to patronize them, you must show zero tolerance towards them.’
Illustrating his commitment with a recent incident from his own constituency, the minister shared how he personally instructed police to arrest a union-level BNP general secretary accused of drug trading. The arrested leader subsequently tested positive for drugs and was sentenced to one year in prison via a speedy trial. Reflecting on this, he remarked, ‘He was one of those who worked most tirelessly during my election. However, to me, the primary condition for being a true political worker is moral transparency.’
The Law Minister cautioned that political parties should not bear the burden or suffer reputational damage due to the misdeeds of a few corrupt individuals. He stated, ‘Ten people sell drugs in Bagerhat district. If I assume all ten belong to BNP, ten thousand people in Bagerhat district will hate me because of these ten people. As a political party and as the government, we will not take this risk.’ He also clarified that while court bail decisions remain judicial matters, any attempts to illegally influence justice or interfere with legal proceedings will face strict consequences.
Concluding his address, the minister drew attention to systemic human rights violations, political persecution, and state-sponsored violence allegedly carried out over the past 17 years. He highlighted the severe toll inflicted on political opposition members, alleging that during this period, numerous individuals were detained and killed without trial under the guise of crossfires. He specifically claimed that over 4,000 BNP leaders and activists fell victim to enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings during this timeframe, with around 700 BNP leaders and activists being subjected to enforced disappearance.
