Gun-wielding State Minister Ishraque leads raid at suspected drugs den, draws criticism and controversy
Many have questioned whether it was right or legally allowed for a state minister to wield a gun like this in public and lead a drugs raid.
State Minister for Liberation War Affairs and Dhaka-6 MP Ishraque Hossain led a surprise raid on a suspected drug den in a slum beside railway tracks in Ward 45 under Gandaria Police Station in Dhaka today (17 October), wielding a gun during the drive.
A video of the raid, posted on the state minister's Facebook page around 6pm, showed him waving the gun and leading the operation.
The video was later deleted following widespread online criticism, with many questioning whether a state minister could legally carry a gun in public and lead a drug raid.
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Police said six people were detained on suspicion of involvement in drug trading.
Ishraque vowed to continue anti-drug drives until Dhaka-6 was free of drugs, warning that traders would not be spared regardless of their political affiliation. He said punishment would be harsher if anyone from his own party was found involved.
"Those who sell drugs in this area have no place in my Dhaka-6 constituency. We brought down the government through a movement against the authoritarian regime. Do these drug traders have any time left?" he told locals during the drive.
"No matter how influential a drug trader is or which party they belong to, if they are from my party, their punishment will be even harsher," he added.
He said he had been gathering intelligence on drug trading for six months and blamed drugs for damaging young people's lives.
"Our youth are being destroyed because of drugs. For the past six months, I have been collecting information through intelligence sources. I will hold in high regard those who can help apprehend the people who come from outside to supply drugs," he said.
He added that the campaign would expand beyond his constituency to the rest of the country.
When the detainees pleaded to be released, Ishraque assured them they would not be harmed and would face legal action through the judicial process.
Gandaria Police Station Officer-in-Charge Moniruzzaman Monir said Ishraque had detained the six people and called the police. Officers later took them to the station.
A white powder-like substance was reportedly found on the detainees. Monir said tests would be needed to determine whether it was heroin.
Ishraque has previously led anti-drug drives in different parts of Dhaka-6 and urged residents to cooperate with the campaign.
