Police, army, BGB to join forces for illegal arms recovery from Wednesday
Earlier, the interim government suspended all licences of firearms issued during the Awami League government.
The government will conduct a joint operation, comprising the police, army, BGB and other forces, across the country from Wednesday (4 September) to recover illegal weapons.
The Coast Guard, RAB and Ansar will also join the operation, Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury made the announcement today in a press statement today (1 September).
Earlier on 25 August, the home ministry revoked all firearms licences issued to civilians between 6 January 2009 and 5 August 2024, during the Awami League government.
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Civilians holding licences are required to submit their firearms and ammunition to the nearest police station by 3 September, reads a notice by the Public Security Division of the home ministry.
The district magistrate will take appropriate action in accordance with the Arms Act, 1878 (Act XI of 1878) and the Firearms Licensing, Renewal and Use Policy 2016 issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, it said.
According to today's statement, the list of suspended licence holders prepared by the district magistrates and the list of arms licence holders shall be forwarded to the ministry by 5 September.
On 24 August, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Md Mainul Hasan addressed the use of firearms during the quota-reform protests and pointed out that both licensed and illegal weapons were used during the unrest.
