A search is being conducted in Bhadra slum next to the railway tracks on suspicion of involvement in drug trafficking. Photo: BSS

RAJSHAHI, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS) - The Bhadra slum is located beside the railway 
tracks, where drug trading had been thriving. When residents informed the 
police station, they were told it was the responsibility of the Railway 
Police.

The Railway Police, in turn, shifted the responsibility to the Metropolitan 
Police. As no law enforcement agency effectively intervened, the number of 
drug dealers in the area continued to grow. 

In this situation, local residents have built a social resistance to stop 
drug trafficking in the slum.

The slum is situated in the Bhadra area of Rajshahi city and is commonly 
known as Bhadra Slum. Nearly 200 families live there along the railway 
tracks. 

Among them, seven to eight families had long been involved in selling 
marijuana, yaba, and tapentadol tablets. 

Due to police inaction, several new individuals had also started selling 
drugs. In response, residents initiated a social resistance movement, which 
police have viewed positively.
 
Locals said the residents unanimously agreed to eliminate drugs from the 
slum. They decided not to allow anyone to sell drugs there and to prevent 
outside buyers from entering the area. 

To implement the plan, on Monday (February 23), residents conducted searches 
of those known to be involved in drug dealing. Drugs were found in their 
possession and were publicly burned.
 
The same evening after iftar, a group of youths had gathered at a house for 
drug use. Residents raided the location. Although the youths attempted to 
flee, they were caught and warned. 

The drugs and drug paraphernalia found there were also burned.
 
During the operation, an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of the Railway 
Security Force, Sarfaraz Nawaz, was found at the gathering. 

He was also warned and released. The following morning and until noon, 
residents continued searching suspected drug dealers, including house 
searches. 

Two individuals, Fuad and Moyna Begum, were caught with drugs and later 
warned. 

Drug dealers and users have since become alarmed by the residents' actions. 

After learning about the community initiative, members of the district office 
of the Department of Narcotics Control conducted a drive in the slum on 
Wednesday.
 
During the drive, three alleged dealers - Moyna Begum, Abdullah, and Fuad - 
were detained with some marijuana. 

Helal Uddin, prosecutor of the district office of the Department of Narcotics 
Control, said, "Through a mobile court, the three were sentenced and sent to 
jail. The social resistance formed by residents to eliminate drugs from this 
slum is commendable."
 
It is learned that those participating in the anti-drug activities in Bhadra 
Slum include local conscious citizens Md. Rubel and Md. Zia; city Jubo Dal 
member Biplob Rahman Naim; ward Jubo Dal member Chan Mia Nayan; ward 
Swechchhasebak Dal convener Hamidul Islam; local residents Abu Sayeed, Shawon 
Ali, Md. Akkash, Md. Ashik, and other senior community members.
 
Biplob Rahman Naim said that both the local police and the Railway Police 
avoid responsibility by referring to each other and do not conduct drives. 

"The slum had become a haven for drugs. So, everyone in the area decided 
together to build this resistance. Because of our actions, drug dealers are 
now fearful. We monitored the area again on Wednesday and did not see anyone 
selling drugs. No outsiders came to buy drugs either. Our resistance will 
continue."
 
When asked, Officer-in-Charge (OC) Faisal Bin Ahsan of Rajshahi Railway 
Police Station said, "The slum does not actually fall under our jurisdiction. 
We are responsible for a 10-foot area on both sides of the railway tracks 
where the stones are laid. The adjacent areas are not under us. So we do not 
go there."
 
Monirul Islam, Officer-in-Charge of Chandrima Police Station under Rajshahi 
Metropolitan Police, said, "It is not correct to say that we do not conduct 
drives when we receive information. We do carry out operations. Nevertheless, 
the resistance formed by residents is good. Social resistance is indeed 
necessary against drugs."