Nine ‘drug peddlers’ killed in ‘gunfights’ in Bangladesh

Nine suspected drug peddlers were killed in reported incidents of ‘gunfight’ in Chuadanga, Rajshahi, Narsingdi, Jhenidah, Tangail, Jessore and Gazipur early Monday, highest in a day, as law enforcement agencies continued crackdown on drugs. 
Rights activists as well as a former top police official said that killing suspects in the name of gunfight was no solution to the menace of drugs, rather the law enforcers had to try to gather adequate witnesses and evidences to ensure punishment for people involved in smuggling and peddling of drugs.
The rights activists expressed concern over the sudden increase in the number of extrajudicial killings in ‘gunfights’.
Of the people killed early Monday, six were killed in ‘gunfights’ with law enforcers while the rest three were killed in ‘gunfights’ between groups of drug peddlers in Jessore, law enforcement agencies claimed.
The Jessore victims’ families alleged that the three were picked up from their houses earlier and police informed them that they were killed in ‘gunfights’. The families and local people said that the three had given up drug peddling and were leading normal life. 
Monday’s incidents took to 22 the number of suspected drug peddlers killed in gunfights in anti-drugs drives in the past one week.
Rights activist Sultana Kamal, also former adviser to the caretaker government, told New Age on Monday that extrajudicial killings in the name of gunfights was no solution to menace of drugs in the society and could not be accepted.
Allegations have it that political leaders and members of law enforcement agencies are involved in the business of drugs, she said, adding that the law enforcement agencies must act within the constitution that guaranteed rights to life and justice for all.
‘Drug peddlers have to be brought to book and their punishment should be ensured,’ she said, adding, ‘we are concerned about what is going on in the name of containing drugs.’
Ain o Salish Kendra executive director Sheepa Hafiza in a statement on Monday echoed Sultana Kamal.
Former inspector general of police Nur Mohammad said that death in ‘gunfights’ or ‘shootouts’ could not be imagined only 15 years ago. ‘We see deaths of drug peddlers in shootouts in Philippines,’ he said.
‘Killing drug peddlers in gunfights is no solution. Law enforcement agencies should hit the supply line. If otherwise, the vacant position of a killed drug peddlers would be filled up by another one,’ said the former police chief.
‘The law enforcers should concentrate on ensuring punishment of drug peddlers collecting adequate witnesses and evidence. Besides, creating awareness by forming committees with good politicians, elites and law enforcers may bring good results,’ he said.
Home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, addressing the opening ceremony of Rapid Action Battalion’s anti-drug campaign at Gulistan in Dhaka on Sunday, said that the ongoing anti-drug drives would continue and warned about zero tolerance for drugs.
He said that the anti-drugs drive was going on as per the direction of the prime minister Sheikh Hasina to save the next generation from the clutch of drugs.
New Age correspondent in Jessore reported that three ‘former drug peddlers’ were killed in ‘gunfights’ at a place between Kholadanga and Mandalgati villages and at Taraf Nawapara, both under Kotwali police station, in Jessore early Monday.
The police claimed that the three were killed in ‘gunfights’ between gang members of drug peddlers although the families alleged that they were once involved in drug peddling and turned into innocents.
The deceased were Momtazur Rahman Munna, 35, of Mahishakura and Sirajul Islam Dukhey, 35, of Tengra village under Sharsha upazila and Shafiqul Islam Shafi, 28, of Andulia village under Chaugachha upazila, Kotwali police station officer-in-charge AKM Azmal Huda said.
Momtazur’s brother Sohrab Hossain said that his brother was picked up Friday night and the body was found on Monday.
Sirajul’s son Ripon Hossain said that his father was an innocent farmer and law enforcers picked him up Saturday night.
In Jhenaidah, suspected drug peddler Sabdul Mondol, 42, wanted in several drugs related cases, was killed in a reported gunfight with Rapid Action Battalion at Narendrapur under Kaliganj upazila in Jhenaidah early Monday, Kaliganj police officer-in-charge Mizanur Rahman Khan said.
Rajshahi University Correspondent reported that suspected drug peddler Liakat Ali Mandal, 40, also local Juba League leader, of Namajgram village under Puthia upazila in Rajshahi was killed in a reported gunfight with battalion members at Khudra Jamira village of the upazila early Monday.
Liakat was wanted in at least eight cases, said RAB-5 deputy commander AM Ashraful Islam.
The deceased’s brother Juber Mandal said that Liakat gave up the business of drugs two years ago. ‘He was now busy in cattle farms. He did not come back after some people called him Sunday noon and took him away.’
New Age correspondent in Tangail, quoting RAB-12 company commander Rabiul Islam, reported that suspected drug peddler Abul Kalam Azad Khan, 42, of Purba Pakutia under Ghatail upazila in the district was killed in a gunfight with battalion members at Deolabari village under the upazila early Monday.
New Age correspondent in Gazipur, quoting Tongi police station officer-in-charge Kamal Hossain, reported that suspected drug peddler Rezaul Islam alias Besoti Rony, 27, of Ershadnagar of Tongi, also an accused in 14 cases, was killed in a reported gunfight with police at Nimtoli Math of Tongi at about 3:00am.
In Narsingdi, ‘wanted drug peddler’ Iman Ali of Kauriapara of the district town, named in nine drugs cases, was killed in a reported gunfight with the battalion at Ghorashal toll plaza under Palash upazila in Narsingdi at about 4:00am, said RAB-11 company commander Jasim Uddin.
In Chuadanga, suspected drug peddler Jonab Ali, 32, of Uthali village under Jibannagar upazila was killed in a ‘gunfight’ with police at about 12:45am, said Jibannagar police station officer-in-charge Mahmud Hossain, 

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net