Drug trade triggers juvenile gangs rise in Rangpur
Drug abuse and trafficking are reportedly taking an increasingly alarming turn in the Rangpur region, with growing concerns that the spread of narcotics is contributing to theft, snatching, robbery and even violent crimes.
The situation is also raising fears about the emergence of juvenile gangs, as school- and college-going youths are increasingly becoming exposed to drugs, according to local residents and people familiar with the situation.
Large consignments of Phensedyl, yaba, heroin and other narcotics reportedly enter the region illegally through border areas of Lalmonirhat and Kurigram. Although law enforcement agencies occasionally seize drug consignments, allegations persist that many shipments evade detection.
Haragach in Rangpur city has emerged as a major drug hub, according to local sources. Drug trading is also reportedly widespread in Baraigipara, Daspara-Machhuapara, Tatipara, Robertsonganj, Station Colony, Babupara, Kharepara, Hanumantala, New Jummapara sweeper colony, the terminal area, S.O.
Bazar and Mulatol. Similar activities have been reported in different areas of Gangachara, Mithapukur and Kaunia upazilas.
An investigation found drug users gathering near the police lines, Town Hall premises, July Chattar and within 100 yards of the divisional commissioner’s office. Residents expressed concern that the growing availability of drugs is putting the younger generation at serious risk, with juvenile gangs reportedly emerging in both slum and affluent areas.
There are also allegations of widespread misuse of licences at authorised liquor sales centres in the region. According to several complaints, some licensed outlets are allegedly procuring and selling quantities of locally produced liquor far exceeding their allocations.
Children are reportedly being used to transport liquor and drugs, while some licensed traders allegedly sell liquor to people without valid permits and fail to comply with restrictions on quantities and customers.
According to the Rangpur Divisional Department of Narcotics Control, there are three licensed liquor sales centres in Rangpur, located in Rangpur Sadar, Badarganj and Kaunia upazilas. Kurigram has two centres, Lalmonirhat two, Nilphamari three, Panchagarh one and Dinajpur four.
The centres are authorised to sell two types of liquor produced by Carew & Company to licensed customers within prescribed limits. However, allegations have been raised that some outlets are selling liquor beyond the permitted quantities and to unauthorised customers.
The issue came to wider attention recently after a video showing the sale and consumption of locally produced liquor at a government-authorised outlet in Kaunia went viral on social media.
The video reportedly showed children aged around 8 to 10 carrying containers of liquor, while several people were openly consuming it.
Local residents alleged that the establishment had been selling liquor to local people and minors for a long time in violation of rules.
Ratan Sarkar, a liquor seller at the Kaunia centre, denied selling liquor without a licence.
“I do not sell liquor without a licence. The people drinking in the video are sweepers. The child carrying the liquor container is also the son of a sweeper. Sweepers have been drinking liquor since birth. They cannot be stopped,” he said.
Masud Hossain, additional director (in charge) of the Rangpur Divisional Department of Narcotics Control, said they had received the video and were investigating the matter.
Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies say they have intensified anti-drug operations across the region.
Rangpur Range Deputy Inspector General Mohammad Abdul Mabud said police arrested 635 people in August in connection with drug-related cases.
During the month, 497 drug cases were filed in eight districts under the Rangpur Range, he said.
Police seized 222.5kg of cannabis, 121 bottles of Phensedyl, 21,514 yaba tablets and 27 grammes of heroin during the anti-drug drives.
The DIG said instructions had been issued to identify drug sources, suppliers, sellers and others involved in the trade and intensify operations against them.
