DCs asked to recover 10,000 unreturned firearms: Home minister

Deputy commissioners (DCs) have been instructed to recover and confiscate around 10,000 firearms that remain unreturned despite surrender orders issued during the interim government period and file cases against those concerned, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said today (6 May).

"Many firearms deposited during elections have still not been returned to their owners, and instructions have been given to return those weapons quickly," he told reporters after a meeting with DCs at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital.

"However, firearms issued between 2009 and 2024 on political consideration or outside policy guidelines will not be returned," he added.

Home Secretary Nasimul Ghani, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Director General AKM Shahidur Rahman were present at the meeting.

The minister also said many harassment cases had been filed on political grounds during the Awami League government's tenure.

"Although some cases were withdrawn during the interim government period, not all types of cases were included in the process," he said.

Salahuddin said even he and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia had faced arms and murder cases. He added that many political leaders were also sued in narcotics cases.

"Such cases would be reviewed, and recommendations for withdrawal would be made if they are found politically motivated," he said.

He said the cases would first go to the Ministry of Home Affairs and later be sent to the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. A committee led by the law minister would examine the cases and withdraw appropriate ones under Section 494 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Referring to cases linked to the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, he said thousands of people had been accused in those cases.

"Investigations would identify the actual offenders, while recommendations would be made to exempt those included intentionally or without evidence," he said.

The home minister also said district-wise information on cases filed during the interim government period after the 5 August 2024 student-led uprising had been sought for review.

"A large number of cases had been filed since 5 August over alleged involvement in attacks on the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, genocide and crimes against humanity during the Awami League government," he said, adding that the number of such cases was particularly high in metropolitan areas, with thousands of people named as accused in each case.

"We have taken this initiative to identify the actual offenders and ensure innocent people are not subjected to harassment," he said.

The minister said investigating officers would examine who was genuinely involved in criminal activities, while recommendations had been made to exempt those included in cases intentionally or without evidence.

Authorities had been asked to send the information within one month. However, delays would also be considered in the interest of justice, he said.

"The entire process would be completed within the legal framework," he added.