Bangladesh to crack down on narcotics, gambling, online betting after April

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has announced a nationwide crackdown on drugs, gambling, and online betting, starting immediately after parliament rises for recess on Apr 30.

The minister made the declaration in the House on Monday while responding to a notice of urgent public importance under Section 71 of the Rules of Procedure.

The issue was raised by Noakhali-2 MP Zainul Abdin Farroque, who called for immediate government intervention to shut down illegal shisha lounges operating under the guise of restaurants and cafes in the capital's upscale residential areas.

Farroque alleged that many such establishments continue to operate by relocating or colluding with sections of the administration.

In his response, the home minister reiterated the government's "zero tolerance" stance against narcotics and gambling, as outlined in its election manifesto.

"After this session concludes on Apr 30, we will conduct a coordinated nationwide operation. There is no alternative to this if we are to protect the youth of this country," Salahuddin said during the session presided over by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad.

Labelling drug addiction a "national problem", the minister revealed that owners of illegal shisha lounges had filed five writ petitions in the High Court to keep their businesses running.

However, he noted that the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) appealed against the stays, and the Appellate Division subsequently vacated the interim orders.

Salahuddin said many of these establishments flourished during the previous Awami League regime under the patronage of "influential" political figures, unscrupulous businessmen, and certain dishonest officials.

"Intelligence surveillance has been intensified so that these lounges cannot restart operations by simply changing their names or addresses," he said.