Home Minister orders DCs to recover, confiscate 10,000 weapons

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has issued a series of strict instructions to field-level administration officials at the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) conference following a session of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Speaking at the event held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital, the minister addressed key national issues including law and order, recovery of illegal firearms, withdrawal of harassment cases, and preparations for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha. He later briefed journalists in detail on Wednesday (May 6).

The Home Minister said that about 10,000 licensed firearms issued for political reasons during the previous government's tenure have not yet been deposited. In addition to ordering the immediate recovery of this huge amount of weapons, the process of filing cases and confiscation, if necessary, has been asked to start. At the same time, he has directed that the licenses issued against the principles from January 2009 to August 2024 be scrutinized through a district-level committee and effective action be taken.

Laying special emphasis on the withdrawal of political and harassment 'missing persons' cases filed during the previous government's tenure, the Home Minister said that a committee comprising district magistrates and SPs will scrutinize these applications. However, cases of serious crimes such as murder, arms or drug trafficking will not be included in this process. The DCs have been instructed to keep a close eye on the cases filed after August 5 in the anti-discrimination movement so that no innocent person or journalist is subjected to unnecessary harassment. It has been urged to follow legal procedures to bring the real culprits to justice through a speedy investigation and to acquit those who were intentionally included in the list.

Regarding the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, the minister said that no animal markets will be allowed to be set up near highways and railway lines to ensure smooth Eid journey of the common people. Necessary machines will be installed in animal markets to detect fake notes, and police body-worn cameras and close surveillance will be ensured in big markets.

Regarding the preservation of the skins of sacrificial animals, he said that considering the capacity of tanneries in Dhaka, arrangements will be made to preserve the skins with salt for up to seven days at the village and upazila levels. The necessary salt will be provided free of charge for this so that the skins are brought towards Dhaka after at least seven days.

Reiterating the government's 'zero tolerance' policy against drugs, extortion and online gambling to maintain social order, Salahuddin Ahmed said that new laws are being formulated quickly to stop online gambling apps and sites developed by misusing technology, and the process of blocking many sites is already underway.

Although he dismissed fears of instability or infiltration along the border in the context of elections in India’s West Bengal, he directed the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) to remain on maximum alert.