PM talks tough against drugs

Expressing her government's firm stance against drugs, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said it will completely eradicate the menace from the country as it did in the case of militancy.

"We’ve contained militancy. Now, we’ve taken an initiative to save the country from drug menace. You’ve noticed that drives against drugs have already started," she said.

The Prime Minister said this when newly elected Khulna City Corporation (KCC) Mayor Talukder Abdul Khalek came to her official residence Ganabhaban to greet her following his victory in the KCC polls. Reports UNB.

Sheikh Hasina said the government has engaged law enforcement and intelligence agencies, especially Rapid Action Battalion, to take stern actions against the drug abuse. "And they’re taking tough actions."

She said the government is providing all sorts of facilities so that children can pursue proper education to build them as the worthy citizens. "We want to see peace and prosperity in every house. Why will our children take the wrong path? Drugs destroy the entire family when only one member becomes a drug addict," she said.

Talking about Khalek’s victory in the KCC polls, the Prime Minister said voters cast their votes in favor of Awami League as they think only her party can change their fate through development activities. “They’ve realized that development activities get momentum when Awami League comes to power and those get stalled whenever BNP is in power."

She mentioned that Awami League is the party of mass people and soil that was founded by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. "Awami League is not a party founded by any person who grabbed power illegally."

She expressed her firm resolve to build a poverty -and hunger-free country through united efforts as dreamt by the Father of the Nation.

Hasina, also the AL chief, urged her party men to remain united in the coming days to further strengthen the party. “If Awami League leaders and activists remain united, it’s possible to achieve anything for the country. We’ve proved this through the Khulna City Corporation election."

Coming down hard on BNP, she said they made their own fortune resorting to terrorism, militancy, money-laundering and corruption while in power.

She also said BNP rigged votes in the February 15, 1996 election, and Magura and Dhaka-10 by-elections. "BNP in power means disaster," she said.

The Prime Minister said the country has turned into a developing one under the AL tenure. "Bangladesh has launched its own satellite into the orbit which will benefit the country’s people," she said.

Thanking the residents of Khulna city for electing Khalek as their mayor, she said the government is working to develop the entire southern region, including Khulna, Jashore, Barishal and Mongla Port.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, State Minister for Information Tarana Halim and Sheikh Helal Uddin, MP, were, among others, present.
AH