Drug den in Tangail shelter project triggers safety concerns

There have been allegations of drug addicts moving and hanging out in a shelter project in Garobazar area of Mahishmara union in Madhupur upazila of Tangail. This is causing panic among local residents as well as students in the area.

Locals claim that the shelter project was built on about six acres of land in 2012 for 150 families to rehabilitate landless and helpless people.

However, only 10 families are currently living there. Locals allege that the remaining houses have been abandoned for a long time and have become a hangout for drug addicts.

Founder of Mahishmara College Md. Sanwar Hossain said that although the shelter center was set up for 150 families, only 7-8 families are currently living there. The remaining houses are empty. He alleged that drug addicts hang out and buy and sell drugs in these abandoned houses until late at night.

He also said that there is a high school next to the shelter project. A mess has been arranged for the students there. College students, including students living in that mess, are in fear because of the drug addicts.

Local residents said that the presence of drug addicts increases in the abandoned houses from evening until late at night. This has created concerns about social security in the area, including theft and robbery.

The locals demand that the administration should immediately ensure the proper use of the abandoned houses and conduct regular campaigns against drug addicts. They also demanded that arrangements be made to rehabilitate the real landless and homeless people there.

-HR/SA