Defending law enforcing agencies' position against drug traders, Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Mahbubur Rahman yesterday said the deaths in shootouts between law enforcement agencies and drug peddlers happen for the sake of peace.

“The drug peddlers do not listen to religious sermons, advice or sympathetic behaviour, as drug trading is an easy and highly profitable business. The traders will only stop the illegal business if their life is under threat,” the CMP chief said.

He came up with the remarks while addressing an anti-narcotics rally held at Muslim Hall of the city. Kotwali Police Station organised the rally under community policing initiative, in which people of various professions took part.

Speaking as the chief guest, the CMP commissioner said “They [the drug peddlers] carry weapons to secure their business because it involves large sums of money.”

“There is no alternative; the lives lost were for the sake of peace. If they [the peddlers] attack law enforcers, then we [police] have the right to use our weapons in retaliation,” Mahbubur said.

“You see, drug peddling has already been reduced significantly due to the strict stance of law enforcers,” he added.

The police chief also blamed the failure of border security forces for yaba being smuggled into the country through the borders.

“10 lakh yaba pills enter into the country through one point of the border, and later it spreads to 100 places. What would be easier... plugging that one point or 100 points?” he questioned.

The CMP boss said no one, even the media, speaks about the failure of border security forces in this regard. “Police can do nothing within five kilometres of the border, as it remains under the jurisdiction of border security forces,” he added.

“I request the government to strengthen Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Bangladesh Coast Guard, so that the forces can discharge their duty properly and effectively to curb drug smuggling,” said the CMP commissioner.

He said there is a conspiracy against Bangladesh to destroy the land through yaba pills, and police will resist the conspiracy under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

“After assuming office three months back, I have handcuffed three policemen for their connection with drug peddling,” he said, adding that they are showing zero tolerance about it.

With SM Shahab Uddin -- president of the Kotwali unit of community police -- in the chair, additional commissioner (crime and operation) Amena Begum, editor of local daily Dainik Azadi MA Malek and panel mayor Hasan Mahmud Hasni addressed the programme, among others.

A total of 10 alleged drug peddlers have been killed in 'shootouts' with law enforcers in Chittagong district, since the nationwide crackdown on narcotics began on May 4.