Bangladesh police officials have decided to stop using lethal weapons like the 7.62 mm rifle, SMG, LMG, BD-8 assault rifle, and Taurus 9mm. They plan to switch to less harmful weapons that are mostly used in military contexts. Police sources have reported that a proposal will be sent to the Home Ministry regarding this change.
The decision was taken on 17 August during a meeting on the use of arms, ammunition, and riot materials by Bangladesh Police with Inspector General of Police Moinul Islam in the chair.
Sources said the meeting also discussed that the Awami League government introduced lethal weapons for the police after the 10th parliamentary elections on the advice of Harun or Rashid, popularly known as DB Harun, and former additional secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Akthar Hossain Bhuiyan.
The weapons of war were used against leaders and activists of opposition parties, and the highest use of the weapons occurred during the movement against Sheikh Hasina's rule, which toppled her government, they also said.
It was decided to use bore weapons instead of 7.62mm pistols, banning the use of lead bullet cartridges, introducing non-lethal soft kinetic projectiles and using the less lethal 9mm SMG instead of 6.72 SMG, said a police official.
On 21 August, an eight-member committee was formed to determine the use of arms, ammunition and riot gear by the Bangladesh Police.
The committee held several consultative meetings with all police stakeholders and prepared a presentation in light of their views.
During the meeting, the opinions were presented before the IGP and others and all voiced unison regarding the views.
Bd-pratidin English/Afia
