Staff Reporter:
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed yesterday announced that the government will review and potentially cancel firearms and ammunition licenses issued during the 17-year tenure of the fascist Awami League (AL) government, alleging that many were granted on political considerations.
Speaking to journalists after a meeting with chiefs of forces under the Home Ministry at the Bangladesh Secretariat, the minister said authorities will scrutinize all firearms licenses issued during the “fascist regime.”
“We will verify the process of issuance of all the firearms during the fascist regime. After thorough scrutiny, licenses will be scrapped if the issuance is found unlawful or politically motivated. Those granted legally will remain valid,” he said.
Ahmed said he has directed the police to submit a detailed report to the ministry as quickly as possible to facilitate the review process.
Salahuddin, also a BNP Standing Committee member, further stated that all firearms and ammunition linked to cancel licenses will be seized.
Responding to another question, he revealed that around 10,000 firearms have already become illegal after their holders failed to deposit them with the authorities in response to directives issued by the inter-im government ahead of the 13th parliamentary election.
“Measures will be taken to recover the firearms,” he added.
