State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraque Hossain on Monday announced his resignation from the ministerial post, saying he had gone to Gendaria on Saturday not to grab land or extort money, but to fight drugs.

Ishraque announced his resignation at a crowded press briefing at the National Press Club.

“I voluntarily asked the Prime Minister to relieve me of my duties as state minister for liberation war affairs from today onwards,” he said.

The announcement came following a controversy over his public display of a pistol during an anti-drug operation in Dhaka.

He said he had told the Prime Minister that he wanted to work for the welfare of the people, including eliminating drug peddling in Dhaka-6 and adjacent areas, and that the Prime Minister had given him the go-ahead.

“He [the Prime Minister] said, ‘All right, go and fix your area,’” Ishraque said.

After arriving at the press club, Ishraque’s supporters began chanting slogans in his support, including “Ishraque bhai, don’t be afraid, we have not left the streets” and “Keep moving forward, Ishraque bhai, we are with you.”

Earlier, shortly after 8:30am on Monday, Ishraque said in a post on his verified Facebook page that he would announce his resignation as state minister for liberation war affairs.

However, on Sunday, he dismissed the media reports as claiming that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had asked him to resign as rumours, while his office issued a statement denying that any resignation instruction had been given.

Earlier, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman asked him to resign following widespread criticism over his public display of a pistol while chasing suspected drug users in Dhaka, as several media outlets, including Daily Waadaa, reported.

Sources said the prime minister summoned Ishraque after a cabinet meeting and instructed him to step down.