Dhaka: Voicing concern over the killings of suspected drug traders in reported gunfights with members of law enforcement agencies across the country, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Tuesday said it does not support any extrajudicial killing.

Quoting reports published in newspapers, it said nine suspected drug peddlers were killed and some law enforcers injured in purported gunfights that took place between drug traders and members of law enforcement agencies on Monday during the anti-drug operation across the country.

NHRC Chairman Kazi Reazul Hoque in a statement said, ‘Drug abuse is a deadly addiction and a national enemy. There's no alternative to freeing the country from drugs to gift a good future generation to the nation. To free the country from the drug abuse, everyone must take all-out efforts alongside the government ones to create a social movement.’

He underscored the need for bringing drug traders to book and meting out exemplary punishment to them.

The NHRC chief also said members of the law enforcement agencies will have to conduct anti-drug drives keeping the human rights and the existing laws of the country in mind. ‘Special attention needs to be given so that no innocent person is harmed during the drive.’