State Minister for Liberation War Affairs and Dhaka-6 MP Ishraque Hossain has defended carrying a firearm during an anti-drug drive in the capital, saying on Saturday that he neither threatened anyone with the weapon nor fired a shot, and that the operation aimed to build social resistance against drug traders.
Responding to criticism on social media on 17 October, Ishraque told the media that the firearm he carried was legally owned. He said he had visited the area as a public representative following repeated complaints from residents of his constituency.
He said drug trading was taking place in the Dayaganj Ghuntighar area near Gandaria Railway Station in Dhaka-6. Local residents had repeatedly complained to him about the problem, but effective action had not been taken despite informing the police, prompting him to visit the area himself.
Ishraque said the police had failed to play an effective role in anti-drug operations, adding that he had held at least 30 to 40 meetings with them over the issue. However, the police had offered different explanations each time, including shortages of manpower and vehicles.
He also said several police personnel had been shot while conducting operations in the area in the past.
Referring to the police force’s difficulties in recovering fully following the July mass uprising, the state minister said drug traders fired at law enforcers from a distance, which was why he had carried the firearm during the operation.
“I did not fire a shot, nor did I threaten anyone with it. Yes, we conducted the operation to build social resistance so that a drug den cannot be established there again,” he said.
