Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has announced that coordinated nationwide operations will be launched after 30 April against gambling, online gambling, and drugs. He said there is no alternative to such drives to protect the country’s youth.
He made the statement on Monday, 27 April, in response to a notice submitted under Rule 71 by Zainul Abdin Faruk during a session of the National Parliament.
During the session, a notice was raised regarding the closure of illegal shisha lounges operating under the guise of residential buildings, restaurants, and cafés in upscale areas of the capital. In response, the Home Minister said that under the Narcotics Control Act, 2018 (amended), shisha is listed as a Class ‘B’ narcotic. The current government has identified drugs as a national problem and has made clear commitments on the issue in its election manifesto.
He added that although some owners filed writ petitions against state actions to shut down illegal shisha lounges, interim orders were annulled following directives from the Appellate Division. As a result, there is no legal barrier to closing unauthorized shisha lounges.
The Home Minister said that, under the directives of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Department of Narcotics Control and law enforcement agencies are working in coordination. Recently, operations in the Gulshan area of the capital led to the seizure of shisha and hookah equipment from illegal shisha bars. Similar drives in other lounges also resulted in the recovery of narcotics.
He further stated that intelligence surveillance has been intensified to prevent illegal shisha lounges from resuming operations under different names and addresses. Strict legal action is being taken against those involved, and any allegations of involvement by individuals or institutions will be investigated and addressed accordingly.
Salahuddin Ahmed said that the operation of illegal shisha lounges under the cover of residential buildings, restaurants, and cafés has also come to the attention of Dhaka North City Corporation. Such activities are harmful to public health, urban order, and law and order, and are unacceptable under any circumstances.
He added that regular operations are being conducted in coordination with law enforcement agencies, city corporations, and relevant organizations, and these efforts will continue in the future.
The Home Minister also said that building owners are being made aware through beat policing to ensure that no one can operate illegal shisha lounges in residential or commercial buildings. If any police personnel are found to be involved in facilitating such activities, disciplinary action will be taken against them in accordance with the rules.
DBTech/SA/MUIM/OR
