Online Desk  :  The capital’s Suhrawardy Udyan has manifestly turned into a safe haven for drug peddlers and marijuana lovers. The unbridled bustling business is supervised mostly by youths from 3 PM to 3 AM. Many people are consuming marijuana in groups in different places in Muktamanch and Suhrawardy Udyan while some are chatting, and some are playing guitars to the beat of songs. Along with this, gambling is also going on. According to direct sources, most of them are university students working in the private sector or unemployed. Among them, many are seen consuming marijuana openly releasing the stench out of the smoke. Some young women are also spotted every evening.

On the spot, it was seen that the price of a fistful of marijuana in Muktamanch is 200 taka. Half the fist is 100 taka. Inside the garden, someone is making hemp sticks, and someone is consuming it. Drug and substance abuse have become rampant in the park, from behind the Shishu Park to the Muktamancha( Amphitheatre) . The police in the park mostly ignore to take action against peddlers and users. A police member who did not want to be named said, “If I say anything, they will transfer me from this post. So I must turn a blind-eye and pretend not to see. I cannot have a problem with that.”

A police officer in the park said, “Who will we arrest? Everyone is a university student. They are the ones who use drugs here.” A woman reportedly named Parul is the most powerful here. She is the `queen’ of everything. Besides, three under the names of Joker, Matin and Khairul are also allegedly involved in the peddling trade. A student named Sajid from the Department of Sociology of Dhaka University said, “Since August 5 last year, the military has raided this park once for drug use.” Those who were detained were later released on orders from higher authorities. Now the police are reluctant to function. That is why all this is happening.

According to reliable sources, a powerful syndicate supplies drugs to the park. Students from nearby educational institutions are their target. They deliver drugs to the users through street-urchins and hawkers. Meanwhile, various anti-social activities also start in the park as night descends. Asad, a pedestrian complained about the strong and nauseating smell of cannabis, saying that there is no opportunity to sit in peace in the park. There unpleasant odour hangs around everywhere. It seems that the administration does not see this. The new Proctor of Dhaka University, Saifuddin Ahmed, could not be reached by phone in this regard.