Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said weapon licences issued during the tenure of the Awami League will be reviewed amid concerns over political influence in approvals.
He made the remarks after a meeting with district commissioners at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka on Wednesday.
The minister said many licences issued between January 6, 2009 and August 5, 2024 were granted on political considerations. District commissioners have been instructed to scrutinise these licences rather than return them without verification.
He added that licensed firearms were deposited ahead of the 13th national parliamentary elections but have yet to be returned. Officials have been directed to expedite the process.
Salahuddin also said around 10,000 licensed weapons were not deposited despite government orders before the elections. Authorities have been instructed to recover those firearms and take legal action against the licence holders.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
