Lakshmipur: Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo today emphasized the importance of collective efforts to prevent social decay and corruption, which are vital for the country's development. He addressed these issues as the chief guest at a meeting focused on law and order, public welfare, development activities, and government functions held at the Lakshmipur Deputy Commissioner's Office.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, this meeting marked Mintoo's first engagement in his new role overseeing the district. Water Resources Minister Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee and Jatiya Sangsad Whip ABM Ashraf Uddin Nizan participated in the meeting virtually. Mintoo highlighted that social decay is not instantaneous and emphasized the need for society to adapt to technological advancements. He stressed the collective responsibility of parents, teachers, conscious citizens, and the state in combating these issues, urging for a united effort to manage juvenile gangs.
The meeting reviewed the district's law and order situation, emphasizing crime control, anti-drug initiatives, prevention of juvenile gangs, execution of arrest warrants, and addressing pending cases. In August 2026, 208 crimes were reported, including 26 cases of violence against women and children, 66 drug-related offences, and 91 other crimes. The police successfully disposed of 852 arrest warrants, though 12,014 remain pending.
Environmental protection was also a significant topic, with discussions on actions against illegal brick kilns, topsoil cutting, illegal sand extraction, river and canal pollution, and banned polythene. Over the past year, authorities shut down 65 illegal brick kilns and collected Tk 1.2326 crore in fines under various laws. The Department of Narcotics Control conducted 987 operations from January to August, resulting in 240 cases and the seizure of 17,250 yaba tablets and 28.859 kilograms of cannabis.
Officials were urged to enhance collaborative efforts to combat juvenile crime, drugs, environmental pollution, illegal encroachment, reckless dump-truck movement, and other public nuisances caused by ongoing road development projects. The meeting was attended by Lakshmipur-2 constituency MP Abul Khair Bhuiyan and Lakshmipur-1 constituency MP Shahadat Hossain Selim as special guests, with District Magistrate SM Mehedi Hasan presiding over the session.