Noakhali Correspondent

Local residents have held a protest rally in Aojbalia Union of Noakhali Sadar Upazila, alleging drug trafficking centered around Bedepalli. They have demanded that legal action be taken to identify those involved in the drug trade and strengthen anti-drug operations in the area.

The rally was held on Thursday (August 20) morning at the premises of Mukbul Ahmed Jame Mosque adjacent to Lalghar in Mannan Nagar Bazar area of the upazila, initiated by local residents of Wards 5 and 6 of Aojbalia Union.

District BNP convener Mahbub Alamgir Alo spoke as the chief guest at the rally. Other speakers included former Aojbalia Union BNP general secretary Akab Hossain, Union Parishad panel chairman Nurul Amin, former Noakhali Government College student leader Mazharul Haque Chowdhury Shiblu, former student leader Mamunur Rashid Babar, Shamsuddin Driver and Selim Chowdhury, and locals.

Speakers at the rally alleged that people from the Bede community left their boats and nomadic lifestyle and established permanent settlements in the East Eojbalia area of Wards 5 and 6 of Eojbalia Union around 2010. Currently, there are about 1,600 families living in that area.

They allege that despite their efforts to establish permanent settlements and return to social life, a large section of Bedepalli is accused of being involved in the drug trade. They claim that the spread of drug trade in the area is disrupting the normal life of the locals and that a section of the youth is turning to drugs.

Local residents also complained that before the settlement in Bedepalli, there was no such spread of drugs in the area. Since the Bederas started living here, the activity of drug dealers has increased. The Bederas have direct contact with Rohingya drug promoters from Myanmar's Rakhine state. They are bringing drugs from there and selling them here.

The speakers claimed that although several drug dealers, including Yaba, were arrested from Eojbalia Union and Bedeppli areas in various operations by the administration, they were later released on bail and are getting involved in the same activities again.

They demand that surveillance be increased in Bedepalli to identify those involved in drug trafficking and take strict legal action against them. At the same time, they demand effective steps by the administration to create separate camp-like colonies for the Deves like the Rohingyas to protect the safety and social environment of local residents.

Speaking as the chief guest at the rally, District BNP convener Mahbub Alamgir Alo said, "Everyone must work together against drugs and terrorism. Drugs are pushing the youth towards destruction. To protect the society from this, not only the administration but also political parties and the common people must play a role."