Law enforcers didn't kill anyone willingly

Saying that over 32,000 of the total 80,000 current inmates of different jails across the country are accused in drug-related cases, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal yesterday in the parliament said law enforcing agencies did not kill anyone willingly during the ongoing anti-narcotics drive.

“You all know that a good number of people were killed [during the ongoing anti-narcotics drive]. And all of them were killed during gunfights [with law enforcement agencies] as our security forces don't go for killing anyone willingly,” said the minister.

He made the remarks while participating in a discussion on the proposed budget.

He also said illegal arms become available and illicit money transactions happen where illegal businesses take place.

The deaths were caused by law enforcers' retaliation when the perpetrators opened fire on police during raids, he added.

Referring to the ongoing drive against drugs, the minister said those who had surrendered were sent to jail through mobile courts.

Besides, drug peddlers were also sent to jail through regular courts during the drive.

The home minister however noted that drug peddlers who fought back against the drive faced gunfights.

Placing the statistics of total capacity of all prisons in the country, Kamal said the country's jails can hold a total of 35,000 prisoners, but the number of inmates is now 80,000 of which more than 40 percent are involved in drug-related cases.

Kamal said his ministry will keep the prime minister's pledge of zero tolerance against narcotics at any cost to save the country and its youths.

“Otherwise,” the minister said, “We will not be able to materialise our dream to turn the country into a developed one by 2041.”

He also vowed that the government will do everything necessary to resist the proliferation of drugs, and to ensure peace and security of the people.

Meanwhile, Jessore police yesterday claimed to have recovered two bullet-hit bodies of drug peddlers in Monirampur upazila of the district.

Including yesterday's incidents, the number of deaths in the ongoing nationwide anti-narcotic drives stands at 159.