DHAKA, Aug 17, 2021 (BSS) – Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal today said dope test will be ensured in all government recruitments, appointment of teachers and university student admission.
“All government service holders will also be brought under dope test once a year,” he told reporters after an inter-ministerial meeting on drugs and security at Bangladesh Secretariat.
“Action will be taken against those who will be positive in the dope test. We have been asked to follow the zero tolerance policy in this regard,” Kamal said.
The home minister chaired the meeting with participation of high ups of the government including representatives of Bangladesh Army, police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Special Branch (SB) and other intelligence agencies.
The home minister, also a veteran freedom fighter, said information of new and dangerous drugs is being received. So, the meeting was called today through the cabinet secretary.
“We have discussed in detail about drug and how to control it. Where is the source of this? Who are the victims? We observed that the drugs recovered here are from outside. We don’t make drugs. The drug comes from outside,” he said.
Kamal said, “Through this, our young generation is being victimised. We had long discussions to protect our future generations… Recently we have seen some horrible drugs coming through the courier service. That’s why I have taken steps to stop those from coming through the courier service. Our postal department controls the courier service. They have been instructed in this regard. They will install scanners and scan every courier service item.”
The cabinet secretary will take disciplinary action against those who will not comply with the directive, the minister said and added that the government has made it clear.
Replying to a question, Kamal said distance from Afghanistan is about a thousand miles and there are two more countries between Bangladesh and Afghanistan. “The people of our country have never given shelter to militancy and extremism. So it’s up to them what’s going on there,” he said.
About the clash between police and BNP at Chandrima Udyan, he said the BNP’s new committees for metropolitan north and south went there to lay flowers at the graveyard of their late chairman. On the way, they involved in clash with police as they (BNP) threw bricks on police.
The BNP leaders and activists did not follow health guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Besides, the government several times asked the people to avoid gatherings, the minister said.
