Integrated efforts needed to maintain law and order: State Minister

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku on Monday called for joint efforts by the administration, law enforcement agencies, public representatives and civil society to maintain law and order, control drug abuse and build a healthy society.

He made the call while addressing a special meeting and view-exchange session of the Dhaka District Law and Order Committee at the conference room of the Dhaka Deputy Commissioner as the chief guest.

The State Minister, who is also assigned to oversee law and order and development activities in Dhaka district, said drug abuse is one of the major social problems in the country.

Criminal activities are also increasing with the spread of drugs, he said, calling for a strong social movement and greater public awareness alongside law enforcement measures to control drug abuse.

He also stressed the need to prevent the spread of juvenile gangs, saying such gangs expanded during the previous autocratic government and left negative impacts on society.

Families, educational institutions, local administration and society as a whole must work together to keep young people away from crime, he said.

Addressing public officials, Tuku said ensuring public welfare and good governance is their main responsibility.

He said public confidence in the government would increase if officials perform their duties with honesty, efficiency and dedication while following Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s ‘Bangladesh First’ philosophy.

The State Minister also called for giving equal importance to environmental protection alongside development activities.

He urged the authorities to take effective measures to prevent river pollution, manage industrial waste and maintain the ecological balance of urban areas.

Dhaka Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanam chaired the meeting.

Additional Superintendents of Police of Dhaka district, Additional Deputy Commissioners, representatives of law enforcement agencies, officials of the Local Government Division, public representatives and members of the district law and order committee were present.