Md Alamgir Hossain, Lakshmipur 

 Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Abdul Awal Mintoo, MP, stated on Tuesday that collective efforts involving families, educators, conscious citizens, and the state are essential to prevent social degradation, combat corruption, and drive national development.

Speaking as the chief guest at a monitoring and coordination meeting regarding law enforcement, public welfare, and development activities at the Lakshmipur Deputy Commissioner’s office on Tuesday the Minister stressed that social degradation does not occur overnight. He urged all stakeholders to take proactive responsibility, particularly in controlling juvenile gang activities, rather than relying solely on state interventions. The meeting marked his first official session since assuming supervisory responsibility over Lakshmipur district.

Minister for Water Resources Shohid Uddin Chowdhury Anee  and Whip of the National Parliament ABM Ashraf Uddin Nizam joined the conference virtually. Special guests present in person included MP for Lakshmipur-2 Abul Khair Bhuiyan and MP for Lakshmipur-1 Shahadat Hossain Selim, both serving as advisors to the District Law and Order Committee.

Reviewing the regional law and order situation, officials disclosed that 208 criminal offenses were recorded across Lakshmipur district in August 2026, comprising 26 cases of violence against women and children, 66 narcotics offenses, and 91 other crimes. During August, local police executed 852 arrest warrants, leaving 12,014 pending warrants, with the minister directing law enforcement to accelerate execution rates. Anti-narcotics operations from January to August 2026 yielded 987 drives, leading to 240 cases, the arrest of offenders, and the seizure of 17,250 Yaba tablets and 28.859 kilograms of cannabis.

Addressing environmental protection, the meeting highlighted that administrative drives over the past year shut down 65 illegal brick kilns and levied Tk 1.23 crore in fines across various enforcement actions. Specifically, 16 drives against illegal brick kilns yielded Tk 15.60 lakh in fines, while 66 drives against topsoil excavation resulted in 59 cases and Tk 33.80 lakh in fines.

Presided over by Lakshmipur District Magistrate S M Mehedi Hasan, the meeting was attended by Superintendent of Police Abu Tareq, the Civil Surgeon, heads of various government departments, political leaders, civil society representatives, and journalists.