Several hundreds students from various schools and colleges in Barishal staged a protest demanding closure of drug smuggling allegedly run under guise of a club in the city.
The demonstration took place around 11 AM on Sunday in Nazirpur area of the city. The protest then culminated in a rally that toured key roads of the city and ended at Nazirpur.
Protesting students claimed that influential leaders have been operating the drug trade inside the club named Nabajagoron Songho since Awami League (AL) government tenure. After the fall of the government on August 5, those leaders fled, but the club is now controlled by individuals like Khan Litu and Saju, who continue the drug trade openly.
The protesters also alleged that despite the ongoing illicit activities, law enforcement has taken no action. They warned that if the drug operations aren't stopped, the youth in the area would be led astray.
It was reported that the club was previously controlled by AL leader and City Corporation Mayor Advocate Rafiqul Islam Khokon.
Barishal Kotwali Model Police Station officer-in-charge Mostafizur Rahman acknowledged the protest and assured action against the drug activities.
