Home affairs Advisor Brigadier General (retd.) M Sakhawat Hossain issued a directive requiring the return of all prohibited firearms within the next seven days.
This order specifically targets civilians found to be in possession of rifles intended solely for law enforcement agencies, including the police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
The directive comes in response to a troubling incident in which such weapons were reportedly used by civilians during recent conflicts.
During a visit to injured Ansar members at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka on Monday, Sakhawat expressed deep concern over the situation.
He described the misuse of these restricted weapons as both severe and unprecedented in the country’s history.
"This is a matter of grave concern. How did these prohibited weapons end up in civilian hands? Such misuse of law enforcement weaponry is unacceptable," Sakhawat stated. He emphasized the need for a thorough investigation to uncover how these weapons were acquired by civilians.
Sakhawat revealed that he has seen video footage of a civilian seizing a rifle from an Ansar member during an attack, noting that the rifle has not yet been recovered. He warned that any civilians in possession of these prohibited firearms must return them to the nearest police station within the specified timeframe.
Failure to comply will lead to serious legal consequences and potential criminal charges.
"If the weapons are not surrendered voluntarily, we will initiate a rigorous search operation. You must return the weapons, either personally or through someone else. Otherwise, we will begin a thorough hunt," Sakhawat warned.
The Home Affairs Advisor also suggested seeking international assistance to aid in the investigation and determine the origins of the illegal weapons. Addressing political leaders, he urged them to focus on organizing their parties and participating in elections rather than engaging in actions that could jeopardize their safety.
"Organize your parties and participate in elections. The Awami League is a major party, and I respect it. It was once a beacon of hope for Bengalis and is a national asset. Do not destroy it for personal gain," Sakhawat advised.
Reaffirming his commitment to preventing further violence, Sakhawat cautioned against provoking conflict. "There is no benefit in engaging in violence. We do not want more deaths. If we are provoked, the consequences will be severe. Do not hand over the country to others. The people have not forgotten recent events, and a counter-revolution would only lead to more bloodshed."
In related news, Sakhawat announced forthcoming changes to police uniforms and logos. He also clarified that the police were not responsible for firing on civilians but were compelled to do so by external forces.
