Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal today said that the nationwide anti-narcotics drive will continue until the drug trade is effectively curbed.

His comments came at a briefing arranged in his Secretariat office ahead of the ‘International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking’ on June 27.

Bangladesh’s government has been criticised both at home and abroad because of its “war against drugs” in the past month that has claimed lives of over 150 people.

Regarding the narcotics business, Minister Kamal said: “Most of the Yaba is coming from Myanmar. We have talked to the Burmese authorities, but they are yet to do anything.”

Neighbouring India has closed down its Phensidyl factories, the home minister said.

Responding to another query, the home minister also added: “The government does not have any intention to murder people. Our government is against murder.”

“The operations are being conducted according to a list. Where there are illegal drugs, there is illegal money and illegal arms; so gunfights can occur. Our lawmen are also being injured.”

So far, starting since May 12, about 22,000 people involved in drug trading have been sent to prison, Asaduzzaman said.

“Our prisons have a capacity to hold 36000 people, but there are now about 80000 prisoners and of them 43 per cent are involved in drug peddling,” the minister said.

Meanwhile, asked about Teknaf councillor Akramul Haque murder, the minister said “Rab is investigating and the ministry is monitoring it. We will let you know when investigation ends.”