Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Sunday condemned State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraque Hossain for brandishing a firearm during an anti-drug drive in Dhaka’s Gandaria area, saying the incident signals a reign of terror.

In a statement, Jamaat Central Publicity and Media Department Secretary Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair said Ishraque, also a lawmaker from Dhaka-6, was seen raising a pistol during the drive on Saturday afternoon (Oct 17). “The incident signals a reign of terror,” he said.

Drug abuse has increased and the law and order situation has deteriorated since the BNP government assumed office.

He said ministers, state ministers and other government officials launched various activities to divert public attention from their failures.

As part of these activities, he said, Ishraque’s action during the anti-drug drive is an expression of a reign of terror.

Referring to the country’s existing arms laws, the Jamaat leader said no person could use a licensed firearm to create public panic except for personal security.

He said it is undesirable, unlawful and unacceptable for a state minister to take the law into his own hands, brandish a firearm and create fear among people despite having the law enforcement agencies and the administration.

He also criticised what he described as the aggressive role of the minister’s bodyguards.

Zubair called for action by the responsible authorities of the government to address the incident and said the minister concerned should take an active role in mobilising law enforcement agencies.

He said Ishraque Hossain’s act of uploading videos of his own unlawful activities to the social media platform Facebook—with the clear intent to instill fear among the people and establish a reign of terror—is unacceptable.

The Jamaat leader said the state minister had violated his oath through such action, which could further encourage criminals.