The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has ordered an investigation into the incident where State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraq Hossain and his associates participated in an anti-narcotics drive with firearms in hand. The responsibility for the investigation has been assigned to the Deputy Commissioner of the Wari Division of the DMP. Shafiqul Islam, head of the Detective Branch (DB) of the DMP, stated that legal action will be taken against the concerned individuals if any violation of the law is found during the investigation.
He provided this information in response to journalists' questions at a press conference organized at the DMP Media Center on Sunday afternoon.
The incident took place on Saturday afternoon in the Doyaganj Gumtighor rail gate area adjacent to the Gandaria railway station in the capital. After a video of the drive was published on State Minister Ishraq Hossain's Facebook page, it spread across social media, sparking discussions and criticisms. In another video published later, several detainees were seen being handed over to the police.
The published video shows the State Minister stepping out of a vehicle, raising a firearm in his hand, and shouting orders to capture several people. At this time, someone near him is heard saying, 'I will shoot them right away.' Several bodyguards accompanying the State Minister are seen moving forward to catch individuals positioned beside the railway tracks. At one point, one of them is also seen kicking a young man.
In the video, although the image of the pistol in the State Minister's hand is blurred in some parts, the weapon is clearly visible in several other sections. Additionally, firearms are seen in the hands of two other people accompanying him. During the drive, the State Minister was accompanied by two personal bodyguards, Tofazzal Hossain and Lablu, and a government bodyguard. The government bodyguard was seen aiming a weapon.
At one point in the video, a young man is heard saying, 'Sir, I haven't done anything. I am a poor man, sir.' In response, the State Minister said, 'The police will come, then we will talk.'
Pavel Shikdar, former convener of Dhaka Metropolitan South Chhatra Dal, was present at the scene. He stated that they went there on Saturday between 3:00 PM and 3:30 PM. The State Minister went to the area in response to repeated complaints from local residents. He claimed that the police were also informed about the matter, but police arrival was delayed.
This incident has raised questions regarding the validity of the firearm in the State Minister's hand and his role in the anti-narcotics drive. Discussions are also ongoing as to whether conducting such a drive by publicly displaying a weapon, even if it is a legal one, is lawful. Many have also raised the question of what the responsibility and role of law enforcement agencies would be if public representatives conduct drives themselves in this manner.
Speaking about the matter on Saturday night, State Minister Ishraq Hossain said that the firearm in his hand is legal. When asked about not mentioning the information regarding the weapon in the affidavit submitted to the returning officer during the election, he stated that he acquired the weapon after the incident of Sharif Osman Hadi being shot on December 12, 2025. According to him, there was no opportunity to mention it in the electoral affidavit at the time the weapon was taken.
Meanwhile, clause 25 of the Ministry of Home Affairs' Firearms Policy 2025 outlines the conditions for carrying and using legal weapons. According to sub-clause 'a' of that clause, legal firearms can be carried or used for self-defense. However, displaying weapons in a manner that may cause fear or annoyance to others is prohibited.
The incident of the State Minister and his associates participating in the anti-narcotics drive with firearms in hand is now under police investigation. What happened during the drive, whether laws were violated in carrying and displaying the weapons, and how justifiable the roles of the individuals involved were will depend on the results of the investigation.
