<i>Thousands from two villages protest drug peddling</i>

5 December 2009, 17:00 PM

Our Correspondent, Pabna

Locals bring out a procession at Natiabari in Bera upazila of Pabna district on Friday protesting open sale of addictive substances in the area.Photo: STAR

Several thousand people from all walk of life on Friday brought out a procession protesting sale of harmful drugs in villages. The processionists hailing from Natiabari and Nagarbari in Bera upazila chanted different slogans against the drug peddlers. Bera upazila parishad chairman, also AL leader, Khandaker Azizul Haque Arzu led the procession that paraded the main roads of the village. Later at a protest meeting the speakers demanded immediates step to stop illegal drug trade in Natiabari and Nagarbari villages. Vice chairman of Bera upazila parishad Lutfar Rahman, villagers Abdul Malek, Fazlul Haque, Abdul Alim, Abdul Mazid spoke at the rally. People from different occupation and political parties joined the demonstration. They alleged that some shops in Natiabari and Nagarbari are openly selling harmful drugs ruining the young generation of the villages. The drugs include wine, hemp, heroin and other things, they said. They said the local administration is yet to take action against the illegal drug peddlers despite lodging several complaints.