Ishraque resigns as state minister after firearm controversy
Photo: Screengrab from video.
Ishraque Hossain has resigned from the post of state minister of Liberation War Affairs shortly after 2 pm on Monday.
Ishraque said, “As of today, I am voluntarily stepping down from the post of state minister of the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs. I have informed Prime Minister Tarique Rahman of this decision. He has given his consent to it.”
On Sunday, upon arriving at the Secretariat after finishing his scheduled program in Savar, the prime minister called Ishraque. The PM inquired about Ishraque’s presence with a firearm in hand during an anti-drug drive in Dhaka’s Gendaria.
After evening, news spread that prime minister directed Ishraque to resign. However, at that time, Ishraque claimed this news to be “fabricated” and “baseless”.
Earlier, on Saturday, controversy arose over the presence of Dhaka-6 Member of Parliament Ishraque with a firearm in hand during an anti-drug drive in Dhaka’s Gendaria.
Although some viewed his initiative to eradicate drugs positively, questions were raised regarding the showing of weapons, coordination with the police, and the role of a public representative in law enforcement.
However, Ishraque had claimed to have raised the firearm in self-defense. As intense discussion and criticism erupted over his action, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) investigated the incident.
