Availability of illegal arms and ammunition, especially in the border-area, has become a big concern to the law-enforcing agencies in the country.
Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) on Friday confiscated a supply of illegal weapon in Agrabhulat and Daulatpur border area of Benapole. Among the recovered arms, there’re 7 foreign gun, 4 magazines and 10 bullets.
During the operation, BGB arrested a man, identified as Samrat Hossain, 35, son of Mosharraf Hossain of Daulatpur village.
Captain of BGB 21 battalion Lieutenant Colonel Tanvir Rahman said based on the information on incoming of huge quantity of arms and ammunition, BGB members conducted drive in Agrabhulat and Daulatpur border area and arrested a businessman with 7 nine mm gun, a magazines and 10 round of bullets. These weapons were being brought into the country aiming to create anarchy and terrorism.
Last year, Dhaka Metropolitan Intelligence Department arrested five people with a private car, magazines and a gun with 8 bullets. One of the arrestees was Akul Hossain, a Bangladesh Chhatra League member in Jashore district. The intelligence officers got astonishing information after putting them in remand. They got a whatsapp number from one of the detainees, which belonged to an arms dealer of India. The dealer said they’re ready to supply as much arms as they demand. The matter was informed to Indian authority later on.
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on August 30 discovered an artillery factory in hilly area of East Chamble village of Chamble union under Bashkhali upazila in Chittagong. The arms manufactured in this factory were available within price range of Tk 5,000 to 15,000. Besides, modern weapons also available there.
The authorities concerned said the smuggling of arms into the country has been increased recently. Most of the buyers of these arms are local political leaders and activists.
The intelligence department thinks illegal arms are being stocked keeping the matter of upcoming national election in mind.
From various intelligence sources, it has been known that illegal arms mainly come in through Jashore border. At least three Indian arms dealers conducted their illegal business on the other side of Benapole border who send weapons and artillery to Bangladesh. Besides Jashore border, there’re arms smuggling groups based on the border areas of Naogaon and Chapainawabganj. Furthermore, the groups based in Bandarban imports arms from Myanmar.
According to the information of BGB, they have recovered at least 1,500 illegal arms including SMG, rifles, guns and ammunitions in last 10 years. In RAB’s drive, 844 local and foreign arms, 179 magazines and 6,859 round bullets and 12,028 miscellaneous explosive elements were discovered just in the year of 2021. The market price of recovered arms was almost 1,000 crore.
RAB and police recovers on an average 200 arms each year, BGB recovers almost 150.
However, according to an officer working in recovering illegal arms, the quantity of arms coming into the country is three times greater than the arms got recovered. Most of the byers of these arms are leaders and activists of various political parties.
More than one officer anonymously said the arms smugglers take various technics to keep their smuggling operation away from the eyes of the law-enforcing agencies. They use women in the border area for this purpose. The smugglers, in the disguise of passengers, run their operations in various local transports and deliver the arms to arms dealers in the capital.
According to the information of various intelligence agencies, arms are imported secretly through 30 road and river-based routes. The largest dispatch is coming through Teknaf and Ukhia border of Cox’s Bazaar. In addition, arms are coming into the country through nine seemingly impassable routes in Chattogram Hill Tracts and Benapole land port.
Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Agency, Mashiur Rahman told The Bangladesh Pratidin that the propensity of committing crimes with arms in metropolitan area has been reduced a lot. However, as the national election is ahead, the demand of illegal arms will be increased.
He said, “We’re keeping a watchful eye on some criminals who are out on bail. Many of them were involved in transactions of illegal arms.”
Director of RAB Intelligence Wing Lieutenant Colonel Moshiur Rahman Jewel told The Bangladesh Pratidin, “Compared to other times, the demand of illegal arms has been increased recently as the national election is ahead. But, our strong message to the criminals is ‘none is out of our surveillance.’”
Security specialist Major General (Rtd) Mohmmad Ali Shikder told The Bangladesh Pratidin, “No details research on illegal arms are conducted in the country; however the law-enforcing agencies are aware about how and from where it comes into the country. So, there should be no tension if they take actions accordingly.”
Deputy Inspector General (operations) of police headquarters Haider Ali Khan told The Bangladesh Pratidin, “no force remains idle if information on illegal arms is in their hand. But, we think each concerning agencies are giving their best to prevent its trade.”
He said, "we have reciprocal support treaty with India in this regard and we’ve informed them details on illegal arms. We believe they’re taking necessary steps.”
@The article appeared on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on October 2, 2022 and rewritten in English by Lutful Hoque
