Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Minister Sa Ching Prue has stressed coordinated efforts by the media and law enforcement agencies to address drug trafficking, border crimes and challenges related to refugees.
“Cox’s Bazar and the Chittagong Hill Tracts share close geographical and social ties. We are committed to developing Cox’s Bazar into a modern tourism city through a well-planned master plan,” the minister said.
He made the remarks while speaking at a view-exchange meeting with journalists at the Cox’s Bazar Press Club on Friday.
He said the government would work to expand tourism in Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban and other parts of the country and promote the sector at home and abroad. Expressing concern over drug trafficking, Sa Ching Prue said drugs entering the country through roads and waterways were spreading across society.
He called for drug-prevention committees in every neighbourhood in line with the Home Minister’s call. Regarding the Rohingya crisis and border crimes, he said some Rohingyas were becoming involved in drug trafficking, smuggling, human trafficking and illegal arms trading.
He proposed jointly formulating specific recommendations with the Home Ministry, law enforcement agencies and journalists and presenting them to the prime minister to address the crisis. The minister said Cox’s Bazar could be transformed into a world-class tourism city by utilizing its sea beach and the natural diversity of the hill region.
Praising journalists as the “conscience of society,” he urged them to present objective news and pledged to work for socioeconomic development.
Cox’s Bazar Press Club President Mahbubur Rahman chaired the meeting. Senior local journalists also attended.