A Labour Party leader was among three people arrested with yaba during an anti-drug operation in Kalindi Union of Keraniganj, on the outskirts of Dhaka, police said.
The arrested man has been identified as Alamin Dhali, 34, who is known locally as the vice-president of the Labour Party unit in Kalindi Union. Two others were also detained during the operation carried out by the Dhaka District South Detective Police.
The arrests took place on 21 August at a building under construction in the Bhanga area under Keraniganj Model Police Station. Police said yaba was recovered from the suspects during the operation, although the authorities did not disclose the quantity of the seized drugs in the information provided.
According to police, Alamin is associated with the Labour Party in Kalindi Union. His political identity, however, has become a matter of disagreement among local Bangladesh Nationalist Party leaders. Some party figures have questioned whether he actually holds the position attributed to him.
Residents in the area have also raised a number of allegations against Alamin. They claim that he had previously been involved in various activities in the locality and accuse him of land grabbing, extortion, exerting influence over businesses through intimidation and forcibly filling land with sand. These allegations could not be independently verified at the time of reporting, and no conclusion about them can be drawn without due legal proceedings.
Local sources said Alamin comes from a politically connected family. His father, Milon Dhali, was reportedly the president of the Awami League unit in Ward 3 of Kalindi Union. His brother Asad is said to be the general secretary of the Tantib League unit in the union, while his uncle Liton Dhali reportedly serves as joint convener of the Labour Party of the union’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party.
The differing views over Alamin’s political affiliation have prompted questions among local party leaders. Haji Ataur Rahman Hira, member secretary of the Kalindi Union Bangladesh Nationalist Party, said he was looking into whether Alamin was a member of the party or held any official position within it.
Hira said there was no place in the Bangladesh Nationalist Party for anyone involved in the drug trade.
Mohammad Mehbub, convener of the Kalindi Union Bangladesh Nationalist Party, also said the organisation would maintain a firm position against drugs. He said there would be no compromise over drug-related activities and that action would be taken against those found to be involved.
The operation comes amid continued efforts by law enforcement agencies to curb the distribution and use of illegal drugs in areas around Dhaka. Keraniganj, with its expanding residential and commercial areas and proximity to the capital, has remained an important area for law enforcement operations against various forms of crime.
Rezaul Karim, officer-in-charge of the Dhaka District South Detective Police, confirmed the arrests. He said a case had been filed against the detainees under the Narcotics Control Act at Keraniganj Model Police Station.
The allegations against the arrested individuals will now be subject to the legal process. Their arrest and the filing of a case do not, by themselves, establish guilt, which must be determined through the appropriate judicial proceedings.
