, June 8 -- The government has initiated steps to strengthen the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) by equipping it with arms and introducing dog squads to enhance the effectiveness of anti-drug operations, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Monday.

"We have already prepared the draft of the Narcotics Control Act and hope to place it during this session (Parliament). Officers who conduct anti-drug operations currently have no weapons, while drug dealers often attack them using sophisticated firearms," he told the House.

The minister came up with the disclosure, while responding to a notice of public importance placed by ruling party lawmaker Helen Zerin Khan (Women Seat-9).

He said the proposed amendments are intended to provide...