State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraque Hossain has stated he will use bamboo sticks instead of firearms to destroy drug dens following widespread criticism over a video showing him carrying a pistol during an anti-drug drive in Dhaka. In a post on his verified Facebook account on Sunday night, October 18, he criticized media coverage of the drive and asserted that drug dens would be razed.
“Some renowned media outlets have panels of renowned lawyers through whom they can seek clear explanations of the law, and I believe they practise this. Despite knowing and understanding everything, the way they are reporting makes it seem that they were exclusive suppliers of drugs in the ‘ghuntighor’. That is why they are behaving like wild animals after my drive. Wait and see. All drug dens (which may be financing these papers) will be levelled to the ground,” he wrote in his social media post.
The minister added that while he had carried a legally licensed firearm for personal security, future operations would see a change in tactics. “From now on, I will destroy these dens with bamboo sticks. The police will stand and watch, and the offenders will be arrested in front of a magistrate and taken away. The 16 aspects of the anti-drug struggle will be fulfilled, insha’Allah,” he stated.
The controversy began after Ishraque Hossain, who serves as the member of parliament for Dhaka-6, participated in a social anti-drug drive near the Gandaria railway line. A video shared widely on Facebook showed him carrying a hand microphone and a pistol while chasing individuals, pulling back the pistol’s slide, and pointing it at people to order them to stop, with accompanying individuals also carrying firearms.
The footage sparked public debate concerning whether a licensed personal firearm could be displayed in such a manner and whether an elected representative possessed the authority to personally lead an armed anti-drug raid.
In response to the incident, Detective Branch chief and Dhaka Metropolitan Police Additional Commissioner Md Shafiqul Islam announced on Sunday that the relevant deputy commissioner had been instructed to review the situation locally and submit a formal report. He confirmed that police would take legal action if any violations were identified.
Addressing the confrontation, Ishraque Hossain claimed that 30 to 35 individuals had approached his convoy aggressively during the resistance program. He maintained that he and his security personnel only briefly raised their firearms to prevent a potential attack, noting that the operation ultimately resulted in the removal of four to five drug dens, the recovery of drugs and weapons, and the detention of six suspects who were handed over to local police.
Why it matters
The controversy surrounding a government minister openly carrying a firearm during a law enforcement operation raises critical questions about ministerial authority, legal boundaries of licensed weapons, and official conduct in Bangladesh.