Ishraque Hossain has defended carrying his personally licensed firearm during an anti-drug operation in Gandaria, saying the police were not adequately equipped to ensure security, while also announcing that he had sought voluntary release from his responsibilities as state minister for liberation war affairs.
The Dhaka-6 MP said he carried the firearm during the operation in Ghuntighar as a security measure.
Speaking at a press conference at the National Press Club on Monday, he said: “Since the police force is not equipped, I decided to eliminate drugs with the police and local residents. I informed the police station before going to Ghuntighar for the anti-drug operation. I carried my personally licensed firearm for my personal security.”
He also said: “The police force does not dare to go to Ghuntighar because they fire from above. Drugs were being introduced among school and college students in the Ghuntighar area of Gandaria. Based on complaints from local residents, I went to destroy the drug hub.”
Ishraque said drug traders had money and weapons, preventing local residents from speaking out. He described the Ghuntighar Munsirtek area as a notorious drug den and said the focus of the anti-drug operation had been diverted by creating various narratives.
“I have sought voluntary release from the post of state minister for liberation war affairs from the prime minister from today. He has granted me that opportunity,” he said.
Ishraque added: “The prime minister said, ‘You have started the war against drugs; continue it.’”
Explaining his decision, he said: “I expressed my intention to resign to the prime minister so that neither the prime minister’s activities nor the party would be embarrassed because of me.”
He also said: “If I have made any mistake or hurt anyone, I apologise. But I firmly believe that I have done nothing wrong. I carried a personal firearm for some time only for my own security.”
“I did not go to occupy land or collect extortion money. I went to eliminate drugs,” Ishraque said.
“There is collusion between drug control officials and an international syndicate,” he added.
