37,225 people held in anti-drug drives: Minister

A total of 37,225 people were arrested and 25,575 cases were filed in the drives against narcotics across the country so far, industries minister Amir Hossain Amu said on Wednesday.

The minister made the comment while answering to queries to journalists after chairing the cabinet committee meeting on law and order, news agency UNB reports.

The minister also informed that currently there are 89,589 inmates in jails, and 42 per cent of them have been arrested during the anti-drug drive since mid-May this year.

He said that the anti-drug drive would continue and BGB (Border Guard Bangladesh) have been kept in alert to restrict trafficking of drugs at bordering areas.

Regarding the alleged connection of Cox's Bazar lawmaker Abdur Rahman Bodi with drug dealers, Amu said Bodi would not be speared if evidence of drug dealing found against him.

The minister also claimed that currently the law and order situation is in good condition while numbers of killing, rape and all kinds of offences have decreased for the active role of law enforcers,.

When asked about the recent crude bomb attack on the election campaign of opposition BNP's Rajshahi City Corporation mayoral aspirant Mosaddek Hossain Bulbul, Amu said "Few incidents can take place centering election."

"We have to consider the sincerity of law enforcing agencies after such incident. The law enforcers will be active so that upcoming city polls are held in free and fair manner," he added.