Photo : BNP Media Cell

DHAKA, June 25, 2026 (BSS) – State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD) Mir Shahe Alam today said raising public awareness, rather than imposing punishment, is the government's primary objective in preventing dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases.

"Punishment through mobile courts is not our primary objective . . . Our goal is to raise public awareness," the state minister said today while briefing reporters after a special anti-mosquito drive and mobile court operation conducted in the capital's Jigatala area and South Kutubkhali canal area in Jatrabari.

Calling on citizens to play a responsible role in preventing dengue, he said the taskforce's operations would continue across the capital in line with the directives of the national committee.

Shahe Alam also urged media professionals to strengthen public awareness campaigns on dengue prevention.
The drive was carried out under the initiative of a taskforce formed under the National Committee for Prevention of Dengue and Other Mosquito-Borne Diseases.

During the drive, the owners of two privately owned under-construction buildings were fined Tk 50,000 each, totaling Tk one lakh, after Aedes mosquito larvae were found on the premises.

The fines were imposed under Section 270 of the Penal Code, 1860, added the release.

Besides, various residential buildings, hotels, restaurants and under-construction structures in Jigatala were also inspected, while warning leaflets were pasted at the entrances of the affected buildings.

Residents and the concerned authorities were cautioned after mosquito-breeding conditions and accumulated waste were found in several government residential areas under the Public Works Department (PWD). Pedestrians and business owners were also urged not to litter indiscriminately.

Later, he inspected the South Kutubkhali canal in Jatrabari and exchanged views with local residents, providing necessary directives to keep the canal and surrounding areas clean.

Among others, Chairman of RAJUK Engineer Riazul Islam, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Chief Executive Officer Md Jahirul Islam, Chief Waste Management Officer Air Commodore Md Mahbubur Rahman Talukder, Dhaka South Chief Health Officer Jahane Ferdous Binte Rahman, Deputy Secretary of the Local Government Division Md Robiul Islam and other concerned officials accompanied the state minister.