Yaba traders won't be spared

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday issued a strong warning against Yaba trade in Cox's Bazar saying drug peddlers would be dealt with severely.

“Cox's Bazar earned a bad reputation as Yaba [tablets] are supplied from here. Yaba supply must be stopped and those who are engaged in it must be punished,” she told a public rally in the district.

The premier added, “They (drug peddlers) won't be spared in any way.”

Hasina also called upon the people of all spheres to save their children from onslaughts of drugs, saying “It destroys family and life of the people (and) when any person takes drugs he/she loses his potency and thinking ability, gets sick and dies.”

“I would like to urge the people of all strata to save their children from the curse of drugs,” she said.

The district Awami League arranged the rally at Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium coinciding with her visit at the country's premier tourist attraction.

Meanwhile, Hasina reiterated her call to the countrymen to put up a strong resistance against militancy and terrorism.

Terming Islam the religion of peace, harmony and brotherhood, Hasina said there is no room for terrorism and militancy in Islam. She said her government won't tolerate defamation of Islam by unleashing terrorism in the name of Islam.

About the government initiatives for providing certificates to the Qaumi madrasah students, the premier said there was no arrangement for giving certificates to Qaumi students and there was no specific curriculum for them.

“But our government has constituted a committee to specify their curriculum and we have also made arrangement for providing certificates to them,” she said. “We want to create scope for all so that they can get job at home and abroad.”

While talking about development of the country, the premier said 80 percent people have been brought under electricity coverage. “There won't be a single house without electricity by 2021.” The Awami League president said, “We hope that you (people) would cast vote for boat to make the Awami League candidates winners in the next polls.”

Earlier, Hasina inaugurated Cox's Bazar Medical College, 100-bed dormitory of Cox's Bazar Government Women's College, academic building cum extension hall of the Cox's Bazar Government College, two-storey academic building of the Bangamata Fazilatun Nesa Mujib Women College in Ukhia and Moheshkhali-Anwara Gas Transmission Pipe Line by unveiling their plaques from the meeting venue.

She also laid the foundation stones of Cox's Bazar Airport Development Project (first phase), 595-meter long PC girder box on Bakkhali River at Khuruskhul point, Cox's Bazar Medical College Hospital, two floating LNG terminals, installation of single point mooring at Moheshkhali, Naf Tourism Park, academic building of Kutubdia College and office building of the Cox's Bazar Development Authority.