State Minister urges school monitoring to curb juvenile crime

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku has underscored the urgent need to increase surveillance and monitoring within educational institutions to effectively control juvenile delinquency and drug abuse.

"The past fascist government destroyed our social fabric. Previously, juvenile gangs did not exist, but over the past 17 years, youths have been dragged into crime. This criminal tendency must be reined in to prevent any further escalation," the state minister said.

He made the remarks while addressing a monthly meeting of the Dhaka District Law and Order Committee as the chief guest at the conference room of the Dhaka District Commissioner on Tuesday morning (November 10).

Addressing education officials, the state minister directed them to conduct regular inspections of academic institutions. "If education officials visit schools regularly, and headmasters and principals monitor student activities, many problems will be resolved. Everyone must work sincerely in this regard," he noted.

Calling upon agricultural and other government officials to discharge their duties diligently at the field level, Tuku emphasized that accountability and moral responsibility are paramount. He announced that progress reports and accountability for every sector will be reviewed during the next committee meeting.

Highlighting the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Tuku remarked that the head of government has demonstrated exemplary open-mindedness in statecraft. "From the aspects of generosity, sincerity, and responsibility, we have no shortcomings. The previous administration pushed every sector to the brink of destruction. Collective effort and sincerity are essential to turn the state around," he added.

He reiterated that the Prime Minister expects everyone to perform their duties within the framework of rules and regulations, noting that public expectations can only be fulfilled through mutual cooperation.

Presided over by Dhaka District Commissioner Farida Khanam, the meeting featured Dhaka-6 MP Ishraque Hossain as a special guest.

Other attendees included Dhaka-4 MP Syed Zainul Abedin, reserved-seat MPs Shirin Sultana, Shammi Akhter, and Sanjida Islam Tuli, Dhaka District Superintendent of Police Shamima Parveen, upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs), police station officers-in-charge (OCs), local administration officials, law enforcement representatives, and members of the district law and order committee.

The meeting reviewed comparative monthly and yearly crime statistics, mobile court operations, measures to control drug abuse, consumer rights enforcement, commodity price monitoring, counter-terrorism initiatives, and anti-smuggling task force operations.

-TIS/SA