Published: 12:02 AM, 17 September 2026
Drugs, gambling root causes of serious crimes: Home Minister
Drugs and gambling drive people to commit serious crimes in society, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said.
He came up with the remarks on Wednesday while addressing as chief guest the 43rd founding anniversary programme of the Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh (CRAB), at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) in capital's Segunbagicha.
Salahuddin Ahmed said, "It is impossible to fully control crime solely by arresting, prosecuting, and punishing offenders after an offence is committed. We must identify and tackle the root causes," the minister said, noting that research frequently links narcotics addiction and gambling to grave offences. "Controlling the spread of gambling and drugs will naturally reduce associated crimes."
The minister said the government will consider providing assistance, either through government initiatives or corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds, to crime reporters who are injured or otherwise affected while performing their professional duties.
He also said the government will examine, subject to legal considerations, whether certificates could be awarded by the Ministry of Home Affairs or the police department to recognise professional excellence and investigative journalism.
Salahuddin said crime reporting is different from many other journalistic beats and is largely a form of investigative journalism that involves risks.
CRAB President Mirza Mehedi Tamal chaired the programme.
Parliament member Shafiqul Islam Masud, DMP Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed, Prime Minister's Assistant (Political), with the rank of secretary, Md Rashed Khan, and Managing Director (MD) of Bangladesh Sangbadik Kalyan Trust, Mohammad Abdul Basir popularly known as Basir Jamal also spoke.
CRAB General Secretary M M Badshah moderated the programme.
