Anti-Drug Rally and Public Awareness Meeting Held in Sitakunda.

Md. Omar Faruk | special correspondent. A colorful anti-drug rally and public awareness meeting were held in Sitakunda, Chattogram, with a call to build a united social movement against drugs and raise public awareness about their devastating consequences. The rally was jointly organized by Sitakunda Model Police Station and the Sitakunda Paurashava Sadar Bazar Shop Owners’ Association on Thursday (August 20). The rally began at 11:00 am from in front of Sitakunda Model Police Station, passed through the Sitakunda Municipality premises, and returned to the police station, where it concluded with a brief public awareness meeting. The meeting was chaired by Md. Nasir Uddin Bhuiyan, President of the Sitakunda Paurashava Sadar Bazar Shop Owners’ Association. Md. Mohinul Islam, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Sitakunda Model Police Station, attended as the chief guest. Among the special guests were Md. Alamgir Hossain, OC (Investigation); Sajjad Hossain Rafiq, General Secretary of the Bazar Committee; Md. Salamat Ullah Salam, Joint Convener of Sitakunda Upazila BNP; Md. Aktar Hossain, Director of Secure City Shopping Center; and Md. Abul Hossain, Marketing Officer and Jamaat leader. Also present were local business representatives Delwar Hossain, Nur Mohammad, Md. Alauddin, Nur Uddin, Jahangir Alam, Sridham, Jasim Uddin, Abir Hossain and Mohan Lal, along with leaders of the Bazar Committee, police officers including SIs and ASIs, members of Sitakunda Model Police Station, officials of the Department of Narcotics Control, and local dignitaries. In his speech, Chief Guest OC Md. Mohinul Islam said, “Drugs are pushing our society and young generation towards destruction. Although a few individuals make huge profits through the drug trade, society, drug users and their families are suffering the consequences. Parents are being harassed and humiliated by drug-addicted family members, while pedestrians are becoming victims of snatching and school and college students are facing various forms of harassment. Theft, robbery and other crimes are also increasing due to drug abuse.” He stressed the need for collective efforts by law enforcement agencies, local businesses, families and communities to combat drugs and protect the younger generation. Md. Nasir Uddin Bhuiyan, President of the Shop Owners’ Association, said, “We must eliminate drugs from our society permanently. Otherwise, normal life and safe movement for ordinary people will become increasingly difficult in the future. Everyone should come forward and play an active role in eliminating drugs from their families and respective communities.” The meeting concluded with a call for stronger public awareness, united social resistance against drug abuse and trafficking, and greater community participation to protect the younger generation from the devastating impact of drugs.