Surrender gives the drug peddlers new lease of life

The drug peddlers who returned to normal life have started their new lives farming vegetables and doing different household activities in a drug-free environment at the border villages.

They have not only returned to normal lives leaving their former profession but are conducting campaigns against drug abuse, smuggling, peddling and transporting.

There are at least 250 drug smugglers, peddlers and transporters in eight villages in the upazila. Of them, 85 have surrendered, 80 have been arrested and 85 have gone into hiding, police said.

Residents of Chawratari village said they are now living in a drug-free society where a month ago the locality was polluted due to drugs. “We don't know how long this environment will last if they go back to their anti-social activities,” the villagers said. They hope the law enforcing agencies will continue their vigilance on the peddlers for sustainable drug-free environment.

Bakul Hossain, 48,  once known as a drug smuggler has started farming vegetables. “I have come back to normal life with the help of police. Smuggling drugs brings handsome profit but did not bring any peace, brought only insult and hate from the society,” he said, adding that he is now happy and will never go back to the illegal ways.

Dulal Hossain, 38, said he always lived in fear when he was engaged in smuggling drugs from India, but he is not afraid today as he has returned to normal life and started farming vegetables leaving aside the anti-social activities, he said. Promising  to uproot drugs from his village, Dulal said if anybody tries to smuggle drugs he would stand against him or her.

Mogholhat Union Parishad Chairman Habibur Rahman said drug smugglers, peddlers, users and transporters crowded the border villages in his union a month ago, but the villages are now drug-free. The former drug peddlers have started earning in an honest way as they realised illegal trades never gives happiness and peace, he added.

Lalmonirhat Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Shafiqul Islam said the surrendered drug peddlers who own land have started farming vegetables and those who have no land will be taken under social safety-net programme. 

Lalmonirhat Superintendent of Police SM Rashidul Haque said police are keeping watch on the surrendered drug peddlers in the border areas.

“If any one goes back to the illegal trade, we will, of course, take stern action against him immediately,” Rashidul said, adding that drives against drugs would continue in the district.