10,000 licensed weapons from Awami League era yet to be deposited, says home minister

Authorities have been told to file cases and seize weapons if needed

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said nearly 10,000 licensed firearms issued under "political considerations" during the Awami League administration’s tenure remain unreturned to the authorities.

He shared the update on Wednesday following a session with the Ministry of Home Affairs at the deputy commissioners’ (DC) conference in Dhaka’s Osmani Memorial Auditorium.

During the meeting, he outlined the government's stance on several national priorities, including law enforcement, the recovery of illegal weapons, the withdrawal of harassment cases, and preparations for the Eid-ul-Azha.

Salahuddin noted that directives have been issued to ensure the swift surrender and recovery of these politically allocated firearms.

Legal action may be taken if needed, including filing cases and confiscating the weapons.

The minister said licences issued “outside policy” between January 2009 and August 2024 during the Awami League government would be reviewed by district-level committees for further action.

He added that priority was being given to withdrawing political and harassment cases filed during the those governments.

Committees comprising district magistrates and police superintendents will examine such applications, though cases involving serious offences like murder, weapons and drug trafficking will remain outside the process.

Officials have also been told to ensure that innocent individuals or journalists are not harassed in cases filed after the Anti-discrimination Student Movement.

At the same time, he said, steps would be taken to bring actual offenders under the law swiftly, while those “implicated with intent” would be cleared through legal procedures.