Police Demolish Illegal Structures at Drug Gathering Spot in Dhaka's Ghuntighar
Police have demolished illegal structures built for drug use and gatherings in the Ghuntighar railway station area of Gendaria in the capital. The operation began at 11:30am on Tuesday (27 October), with a Dhaka city corporation wheel loader flattening the small hut-like structures.
Police said the illegal structures that had grown up beside the railway line were being removed to clear the area so that vehicles could move through it.
Moniruzzaman Monir, officer-in-charge of Gendaria Police Station, said, 'We are clearing all the roads in the Ghuntighar area and making them fit for vehicles. The drug gathering spot beside the railway line is being evicted. Vehicles will move there at all times.'
The officer-in-charge said city corporation machinery, a former councillor, police and local residents took part in the eviction operation, and that local people were cooperating with the work.
Earlier, on 19 October, the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) and Special Response Battalion (SRB)-10 raided Ghuntighar railway station, Munshirtek and other drug-prone places nearby. At least 14 people were detained in that operation. A DNC team led by Anwar Hossain, deputy director of DNC Dhaka Metro-South, took part.
Related sources said the Ghuntighar railway station area has long been known as a place for drug buying, selling and use. Law enforcement agencies conduct regular raids, but drug users and dealers return after a few days.
A few months ago, a Department of Narcotics Control inspector was shot during an anti-drug operation in the area. Law enforcement agencies carried out several more operations there afterwards.
Sources said complaints about drug trading continuing despite the raids had been reaching local MP Ishrak Hossain. Ishrak Hossain had earlier drawn attention for displaying his own weapon during an anti-drug operation in the Ghuntighar area, and later resigned as a state minister amid criticism over the incident.
