Staff Reporter :
The Ministry of Home Affairs has announced a joint operation to recover stolen weapons that were looted during the attacks on police stations and units that followed the ousting of the Sheikh Hasina government from power. The operation will commence on September 4.
Faisal Ahmed, the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Home Affairs, confirmed this in a press release issued on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the police headquarters has issued a stern warning that legal action will be taken against those who fail to return the stolen arms and ammunition by September 3.
The Ministry of Home Affairs had previously suspended firearm licenses issued to civilians over the past 15 years, setting a deadline of September 3 for the submission of these weapons.
It was announced that criminals and perpetrators of murders committed during the anti-discrimination protests would be arrested, and looted, non-submitted, and illegal firearms would be recovered.
A senior officer of the Bangladesh Police stated that the armed forces would be assisting the civil administration in the joint operation.
According to the Police Headquarters, 450 police stations came under attack during the mass uprising.
A substantial number of arms and bullets were looted from the stations during that period.
As of August 31, police had recovered 3,872 firearms, approximately 2.86 lakh bullets, 2,221 tear gas canisters, and 2,139 sound grenades. However, a significant number of looted arms and ammunition remained unrecovered, sources confirmed.
In 1996, following the formation of the caretaker government led by Justice Habibur Rahman, joint forces launched an operation across the country. The operation led to many politicians and business leaders fleeing the country out of fear. Many were also arrested.