Suhrawardy Udyan: Cannabis peddling rampant despite police surveillance

For the past several months, Shahbagh police have been conducting regular drives to curb anti-social activities, including illicit cannabis peddling, in Suhrawardy Udyan, one of Dhaka's most prominent public places.

In the past month alone, police carried out five separate operations, arresting 28 ganja peddlers, who ended up receiving different jail sentences.

Yet, despite these strict measures, drug trade continues almost openly in different parts of the park.

A visit to the park on Sunday (November 2) revealed the situation firsthand.

Scattered across different corners, people were seen smoking marijuana, locally known as ganja.

The users included students and people of various ages. Several Dhaka University students were also spotted smoking ganja, while dealers roamed around looking for buyers.

Due to the increased risk of getting caught, dealers were charging higher prices than before.

Md Nizam Uddin, who once ran an illegal shop inside Suhrawardy Udyan, now works as a marijuana dealer.

Even after his shop was demolished, he continued the trade. Speaking while selling marijuana inside the park, Nizam said, "After the murder of the DU student Samya, things became risky for us. Cameras are everywhere now, and the Ansar members inform the police if they see anything. Police come in civil dress and arrest people. Many have already been jailed."

He added, "It's now much harder to bring the product here, so prices have gone up. What I used to sell for Tk 50 now costs Tk100."

When asked about his customers, Nizam replied, "Many people still come to smoke, from university students to people from all walks of life."

On prostitution, he said, "After the murder, the sex workers also aren't doing well. It used to be easy business, and there were many clients. Now it's almost gone."

A city corporation official assigned to the park, who asked not to be named, said, "I'm afraid to talk about what's happening here. We've been instructed not to interfere beyond our official duties."

However, he admitted that despite strict monitoring, many people still visit the park to smoke marijuana.

Suhrawardy Udyan is one of Dhaka's largest open public places, attracting families and couples who come to relax.

But drug intake and other criminal activities have created an environment of discomfort and insecurity.

Several visitors expressed concern over safety here. Farhia Islam, a student visiting the park with friends from Lalbagh Rahmatullah Model School and College, said, "We came here to hang out, but I wouldn't come alone. There are drug users everywhere, and it doesn't feel safe."

Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Piyush Roy of Shahbagh Police said, "We've already arrested many drug dealers. A special team works in civil dress to carry out regular operations. Still, it's difficult to completely stop the trade."

According to the information given by Asaduzzaman, the computer operator at Shahbagh Police Station, 28 people were arrested in mobile court drives over the past month. Among them were known dealers Parul and Niha. Parul was sentenced to six months in jail, while others received sentences ranging from three days to three months.

Shahbagh Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Khalid Monsur said, "We've already caught the main offenders. A few small dealers are still active, but they'll be arrested soon through continuous drives."

Suhrawardy Udyan has long been known as a hotspot for drugs, mugging, and sex work. Even under previous governments, illegal activities ran unchecked. The issue drew national attention after May 13 this year, when Dhaka University student and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leader Shahriar Alam Samya was killed inside the park. Following that incident, law enforcing agencies started intensifying operations, which could not yet free Suhrawardy Udyan from the clutches of crime.

armanhossen7971@gmail.com