The law enforcement agencies, alongside the common people, are concerned about the looted weapons and ammunition from police stations and prisons nationwide.
The looting of thousands of firearms and large amounts of ammunition has greatly intensified the threat to law and order and public safety.
Among the looted arms are rifles, pistols, revolvers, shotguns, and various other firearms. Due to the lack of responsible officials in several police stations, the exact number of weapons looted nationwide remains unknown.
Experts warn that these looted arms are likely to fuel criminal activities, especially if they fall into the hands of individuals with criminal tendencies, potentially worsening the situation.
Police sources report that not only were police weapons looted, but also legally registered firearms that had been submitted to police stations.
According to reports, prior to the fall of the government led by Sheikh Hasina, 450 police stations and 70 police facilities across the country were attacked. These assaults resulted in the deaths of 42 police officers and injuries to several hundred more. Over a thousand firearms and a large quantity of ammunition were looted during these events.
These incidents were sparked by nationwide protests demanding Sheikh Hasina’s resignation after the killing of protesting students and civilians by police gunfire.
Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Nurul Huda expressed concerns that these weapons could be used for robbery, extortion, and other criminal activities.
He stressed the urgent need for special operations to recover the looted weapons and ammunition, warning that failure to do so could lead to instability and a loss of public confidence.
Lt Col Md Munim Ferdous, Director of RAB’s Legal and Media Wing, told the Bangladesh Post “Under the direction of Home Advisor Brig Gen (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain, they are coordinating with the army and other law enforcement agencies to recover the looted weapons.”
He urged anyone with information to come forward, assuring them that their identities would be kept confidential.
To maintain law and order, RAB will continue regular patrols and surveillance in addition to their recovery efforts for the looted weapons and ammunition, he added.
On July 19, assailants attacked Narsingdi District Jail, freeing 826 prisoners, including nine militants, and looting 66 rifles, 19 shotguns, and 8,150 rounds of ammunition. Law enforcement agencies later managed to recover 50 rifles.
In another incident on August 5, attackers stormed Sherpur Jail, freeing 518 prisoners and stealing six rifles, three shotguns, 864 rounds of rifle ammunition, and 336 rounds of shotgun ammunition. Law enforcement agencis have since recovered three rifles.
Dr Md Tawohidul Haque, an assistant professor at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research at Dhaka University and a society and crime expert, emphasized the need for a swift recovery of the looted firearms.
He warned that these weapons could severely destabilize society, as those who possess them might engage in acts of anarchy that could disrupt law and order.
“To recover these weapons, law enforcement agencies must collaborate with the general public. If anyone has information about the looted weapons, they should inform law enforcement agencies. The sooner these weapons are recovered, the sooner a sense of security will return,” he added.
In response to the looting, the Army, Police, DMP, and RAB issued separate statements urging the public to surrender the looted arms and ammunition or provide information to nearby camps or police stations.
According to the Police Headquarters, “So far, 309 weapons, 6,258 rounds of ammunition, 318 tear gas shells, two tear gas grenades, and nine sound grenades have been recovered nationwide.”
Additionally, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has recovered 97 weapons, over 6,585 rounds of ammunition, and 28 magazines looted from various police stations and outposts.
In a statement on Wednesday, RAB’s Legal and Media Wing Assistant Director, ANM Imran Khan, provided further details.
RAB-7 members recovered 35 weapons, 275 rounds of ammunition, eight sound grenades, and five magazines. RAB-10 recovered nine weapons, 661 rounds of ammunition, nine sound grenades, multi-tier grenades, and ten magazines. RAB-11 recovered ten weapons, 77 rounds of ammunition, four sound grenades, and two magazines. Additionally, RAB-12 members recovered 43 weapons, 5,559 rounds of ammunition, and 11 magazines.
Following the formation of the interim government, Home Advisor Brig Gen (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain set a seven-day deadline on Monday for the return of illegal weapons to police stations, warning of legal action if this directive is not followed.
The government has also provided an opportunity for individuals to return these weapons through others if they cannot do so themselves. Failure to comply with these instructions will lead to intensified recovery efforts, according to Sakhawat Hossain.
