United News of Bangladesh

The easy availability of drugs has led to a sharp rise in the number of addicts, particularly among youths and the unemployed, as well as drug dealers in Bishwanath upazila of Sylhet, which is predominantly inhabited by expatriate families. Drug peddling, involving substances such as Yaba, phensidyl, heroin, and others, occurs rampantly after dusk in designated spots throughout the upazila. It appears that there is little effective control over these activities, said locals. Drug use and sales are not confined to private spaces, as individuals openly or covertly engage in these activities. Alarmingly, the problem has extended beyond young people to include teenagers and even older adults. Parents of drug-addicted teenagers and young adults are struggling to cope with the devastating impact. The growing prevalence of drug abuse among the youth has become a big concern in the area and Bishwanath upazila seems to have turned into a sanctuary for drug dealers, leaving many residents too afraid to voice their concerns. Locals said drug dealers employ techniques to lure new users and expand their networks. Often, they offer free drugs to unemployed youths enticing them into addiction. These recruits are then persuaded to bring in more users, creating a vicious cycle. Once addicted, many young individuals are coerced into working as agents, transporting drugs in exchange for money and free supplies. This deepens their addiction, and some eventually resort to petty theft to fund their habits, exacerbating crime rates in the region. Read: Rampant use of antibiotic drugs causing health hazards Drugs are reportedly available different areas including New Habra Market, Old Habra Market, Bairagi Bazar, Rampasha Bazar, Aguganj Bazar, and Kaliganj Bazar. Known drug hotspots, such as Old Habra Market, are frequented by both locals and outsiders, with motorcycles often seen transporting unknown people involved in drug-related activities. Notorious drug dealers, including Asman Ali, Suhel, and Kamal in Old Habra Market, and others like Islam Ali and Dilwar in Bairagi Bazar, have been identified. Despite occasional arrests, many return to the drug peddling after serving time in jail. Besides, Lamakaji area has become a key route for smuggling drugs into the region, with consignments often transported across the Surma River by boat in the early hours before being distributed by autorickshaws.  Bairagi Bazar Traders’ Association President Monu Mia and former ward No- 4 Councillor Muhibur Rahman Bacchu, have expressed grave concern about the growing drug problem. They fear the social fabric of Bishwanath may collapse without immediate intervention from both the community and authorities. Abdul Rob, Officer-in-Charge of (investigations) of Bishwanath police station, emphasized the police’s "zero-tolerance" policy toward drugs. “We are conducting weekly arrests of drug dealers and planning more extensive operations to tackle the issue,” he said. Read more: Huge haul of drugs busted at Chapainawabganj border: BGB Residents urged an increased collaboration between local communities and law enforcement to curb the spread of drugs. They stress the need for proactive measures to safeguard the youth and preserve societal stability in Bishwanath.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sumon Chandra Das on Monday evening announced the construction of Expatriate Square in honour of expatriates in the Sylhet’s Bishwanath upazila. The long-neglected square of Notun Bazar area would be turned into the Expatriate Square, he wrote over a Facebook post. READ: Expatriate Bangladeshis in South Korea urged to come forward to build "Sonar Bangla" “The currencies of different countries will be inscribed on the pillar of the square but above all will be the Bangladeshi currency”. The monument has been designed to recognize the contribution of the expatriates. READ: 14,000 expatriate workers left country in five days: CAAB UNO Sumon’s alternative initiative was praised by many on social media.

Hefazat-e-Islam leader Mufti Farooq Ahmed was arrested Tuesday evening in a case filed over attack and vandalism in Jamserpur and Dhalipara village in Rampasha union of Sylhet’s Bishwanath upazila during the group's strike. He was arrested from Bishwanath-Osmaninagar upazila border area during a police raid led by Bishwanath Police Inspector Roma Prasad Chakraborty, Sub-Inspector Nur Hossain and Aftabuzzaman. Also read: Hefazat leader Maulana Osmani held He had been absconding since a case was filed regarding the sabotage during Hefazat-e-Islam strike on March 28 in Bishwanath. On March 29, Nazmul Islam Shipu of Dhalipara village filed the case against 312 people, naming 62 of them. Also read: B’baria violence: Hefazat leader Abdur Rahim Kasemi held Farooq Ahmed was the main accused in the case.

Farming is not always an easy job for many reasons, but there is nothing hard in growing gourd. The people of Bishwanath upazila are showing how to do it and make money.   This time, the upazila is witnessing bumper production of gourd as the popular vegetable is seen hanging in plenty in the fields maintained by farmers of the area.   Locals said each farmer is said to have made three times their initial investment of Tk 2,000 only. Seeing the better yield, many people from neighbouring areas are taking increased interest in farming the fast-growing creeper.    According to villagers, the demand for gourd is also high due to its chemical-free cultivation.   They said the gourd remains free from poisonous chemicals as farmers use natural fertiliser in large quantity instead of using pesticide or chemical fertiliser in farming gourd.   Chanfur Ali, a farmer of north Daulatpur Hasnarajir village in north Daulatpur union of Bishwanath upazila, said he got success on farming gourd on 8 decimals of land without using insecticide and chemical fertiliser.   After his success, he said, the other farmers of the village became interested to grow gourd. They also started cultivating gourd like Chanufur Ali. Like other vegetables, gourd is now cultivated in most arable lands of the village.   “I’ve started growing gourd on about 8 decimals of land spending about Tk 2,000. So far, I’ve sold gourd worth Tk 10,000. I hope to sell more of about Tk 20,000 to Tk 25,000,” said Chanfur.   Abdul Hamid, a resident of Purangaon Konapara village in the upazila, said he was also successful in cultivating the same variety of gourd. He cultivated gourd only on 12 decimals of land. So far, he sold gourd worth about Tk 10,000 and hopes to sell more.   Wab Ali, a gourd farmer of Karikona village in the upazila, said, “No one has to work hard for cultivating gourd. It’s possible to earn Tk 10,000 by investing about Tk 1,000 on five decimals of land.   However, he said, regular nurturing of plants is needed alongside ensuring high-yielding variety of seeds. “After preparing land, a better variety of seeds must be planted. Bumper production of gourd is possible after taking care of it regularly. I’ve become successful in gourd cultivation by applying the method.”   Arosh Ali, a retailer, said, “There’s no poison in the gourd cultivated in the villages of Bishwanath. So, the buyers feel encouraged to buy these gourds.”   Shamim Mia, a buyer, said, “We try to buy gourds from the market which have been cultivated in these villages. The flavour and smell of these gourds are good.”   Ramjan Ali, the local Agriculture Officer, said most of the farmers are gaining success by growing early variety of gourd. Suggestions for cultivating gourd is provided to the farmers from the Agriculture Office, he added.