An abnormal situation has developed at the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) centring the posting and transfers of inspectors and intelligence officials, for which its Director General is widely blamed.
The turmoil has reached such an extent that the Ministry of Home Affairs on May 22 sent two letters to the DNC DG Salahuddin Mahmud asking him to explain in “what criteria” he had transferred the officials from one circle to another whereas there is no existence of “circle” in the DNC organogram.
The first letter asking for response from the officials concerned by May 25 categorically mentioned that such initiatives of the DG have “broken up normal procedure of transfer” of the organization.
In the second letter issued the same day, the Ministry wanted to know in what capacity the DG gave posting to Sub Inspector Md Sumanur Rahman as Acting Inspector at the Metro region again. Sumanur Rahman has been facing several cases for his alleged involvement in drugs trade and other crimes.
The DG, however, responded to the letter within the stipulated time. But the annoyed Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal summoned DG and Home Secretary of Security Services Division Farid Uddin Chowdhury to his Secretariat office on Monday for explanations from the two officials, sources said.
When contacted, Md. Atiqul Huq, Additional Secretary, Security Services Division (Office of Narcotics Wing) confirmed such summoning. “The Ministry has asked the DG to explain why he did not follow some ‘ministerial instructions’ on posting and transfer,” he said.
The DNC DG, however, declined to comment despite repeated attempts by this correspondent to contact him.
The officials close to the DNC told The New Nation that the incumbent DG Salahuddin Mahmud who took over the charge on March 27 cancelled the transfer order issued by his predecessor Khandakar Rakibur Rahman on February 8.
President of the Executive Officers’ Association of DNC Azizul Islam said: “The transfer order was issued by the incumbent DG in a hurry. So far we know the officials concerned did not follow any rules and regulations in issuing the order of transfer. It’s the main reason behind the present turmoil at the DNC.”
Several officials have allegedly been given lucrative postings, known as “prize postings”, in the capital in exchange for money. As an example, Inspector Masudur Rahman was posted at Uttara circle on February 27. But the order was cancelled on May 2, just to be reposted at Uttara on May 16.
According to the office order, Md Ahsanur Rahman had been working as Deputy Director (Administration) at the head office for the last eight years. In the new transfer order, he again got posting as Deputy Director at Divisional Intelligence Office in Dhaka.
Another example can be cited here, Inspector AKM Quamrul Islam has been transferred to Ramna circle who was earlier in the Gulshan circle. Earlier, he was PS to the DG.
There are widespread allegations that when the government has announced zero tolerance policy against drugs, the DNC – lone reregulating body of intoxicating drugs and alcohol – has been playing a reverse role for the reasons best known to them.
Several officials of DNC are now directly or indirectly involved in drugs trade while several are shadow-owners of different bars. Most of the officials maintain lavish life style and their children are staying abroad for education purpose, it is also alleged.
