State Minister for Liberation War Affairs, Ishrak Hossain, has sparked widespread discussion and criticism across the country by participating in an anti-drug operation armed with a weapon. Amidst the national debate surrounding his controversial actions, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has instructed him to resign from the cabinet.
On Sunday (October 18) afternoon, following a cabinet meeting at the Secretariat, the Prime Minister summoned Ishrak. Multiple high-level government-related sources have confirmed that he was instructed to resign during this meeting.
However, no formal statement from a responsible government official was available until this report was filed late at night.
Earlier, on Saturday (October 17) afternoon, the State Minister participated in an anti-drug operation in the Dayaganj Gumtighar Railgate area, adjacent to Gendaria Railway Station in the capital.
A video published on his Facebook page shows him getting out of a car, brandishing a firearm, and instructing people to apprehend several individuals. His bodyguards also moved forward to catch some people. In the video, someone can be heard threatening to shoot a person, and a bodyguard is seen kicking a young man.
After the incident came to light, questions have arisen as to whether ministers or state ministers can apprehend individuals with personal weapons or conduct operations akin to law enforcement agencies.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner of the Wari Division of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has been tasked with investigating the incident. DMP Additional Commissioner (DB) Shafiqul Islam provided this information on Sunday, stating that legal action would be taken if any violation of law is found during the investigation.