The recent recovery of high-grade explosives in Sylhet and the busting of an illegal firearms factory in Faridpur - while positive in terms of the law enforcement successfully doing their jobs - are stark reminders of the shadow economy of weaponry that continues to thrive in Bangladesh, threatening public safety.

With the elections a few weeks away, the stakes could not be higher. The presence of clandestine arms factories and the circulation of explosives capable of mass destruction are nothing if not a direct challenge to not only our law enforcement but to the very integrity of the electoral process itself. 

Any illegal weapons being used by nefarious individuals could intimidate voters, disrupt campaigns, or fuel violence - a scenario that we must avoid at all costs.

As such, a robust, coordinated crackdown on illegal arms must be treated as a national priority. This requires not only intensified raids and intelligence-driven operations but also dismantling the financial and logistical networks that sustain such enterprises. 

Law enforcement agencies have been left wanting for some time now, and citizens must be assured that they are acting impartially and targeting arms traffickers regardless of political affiliation. These days leading up to the election are crucial, and we need our law enforcement to be operating with full transparency.

Ahead of the polls, complacency is not an option when it comes to national safety. We need our law enforcement to be united and send a clear message: Illegal arms and explosives have no place in our plans for a better Bangladesh.