Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher today addressed an anti-drug rally organized by Cumilla District Police at the Town Hall ground. Photo : BSS

CUMILLA, Aug 11, 2026 (BSS) - Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher today said that drug abuse destroys not only individuals or families but the entire society.

“We should be united against drugs to prevent crime, terrorism and social degradation and build a prosperous country,” he made this call while addressing an anti-drug rally organized by Cumilla District Police at the Town Hall ground here.

The minister said the BNP government had declared a ‘zero tolerance’ policy against drugs immediately after assuming office. “Very soon, our government is going to enact the toughest laws against drugs,” he said.

He said launching extensive awareness programmes to protect the adolescents and young people from the devastating effects of drugs and ensuring proper use of the law to curb the spread of drugs were among the BNP’s key election pledges.

“I have always maintained a clear position against drugs,” the minister said. “Before the election, at every election meeting, I pledged that whether I became an MP or not, I would always speak out against drugs and continue the fight against them. Today, as a minister, I am saying the same thing.”

He said the government would make its utmost efforts to combat drugs and praised the district police for adopting a policy of ‘no concessions’ against drugs.

“Cumilla District Police have already conducted several courageous operations against drugs and filed cases. I sincerely thank them for these initiatives,” he said.

The minister said Cumilla shares an international border, which drug traffickers were exploiting as a route for smuggling.
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“Various types of drugs including yaba and phensedyl are entering the country through villages along the border,” he said. “At the same time, the Dhaka-Chattogram highway passes through Cumilla. It is one of the main routes of our economy but drug traffickers often use it as a major route for transporting drugs.”

“I want to make it clear that our government and administration are firmly determined to dismantle this criminal network,” he said.

The minister said Cumilla would not be allowed to become a safe route or haven for drug trafficking under any circumstances.

“To completely eliminate drugs from the society, we must build a united social resistance,” he said. “I urge all BNP-affiliated organizations, professionals, media workers, students, members of civil society and people from all walks of life, alongside the District Police, to identify drug dealers and traffickers and provide the police with information about them. Please assist the police in taking action against drug-related criminals.”

Superintendent of Police (SP) Cumilla Md Anisuzzaman chaired the anti-drug rally and gathering organized by the district police.

Among others, Cumilla City Corporation Administrator Yusuf Molla, Cumilla Development Authority Chairman Udbatul Bari, Cumilla District Council Administrator Mostak Mia, Chattogram Range DIG Abdul Quddus, Cumilla Deputy Commissioner Rozi Akter, Cumilla WASA Chairman Ashikur Rahman Mahmud Wasim and Civil Surgeon Dr ANM Bashir Ahmed, were also present.