We are deeply alarmed by reports that illegal firearms are entering the country through at least 30 border routes ahead of the national election on February 12. A recent Prothom Alo report reveals that firearm dealers and smugglers are exploiting poorly guarded sections of the borders with India and Myanmar to bring in foreign-made pistols, ammunition, and other weapons. These arms are then being used in violence, murder, turf wars, and extortion.
Recent arrests expose how entrenched and organised this illicit trade has become. Per the report, on January 22, police detained a man with two pistols and 21 rounds of ammunition brought in through Benapole. Earlier on December 1, another arms dealer was caught in Chapainawabganj with one foreign pistol, five rounds of bullets, and two magazines imported via Monakasha. Interrogations revealed that these weapons were intended to be used for election-time violence. Weapons are also entering via fishing trawlers and boats. Smugglers often allow small consignments to be seized by law enforcers while larger shipments pass through, underscoring how sophisticated these networks are.
Equally worrying is the failure to recover the looted firearms during the July uprising in 2024. Reportedly, of the 5,847 firearms taken from police stations and prisons, 1,362 still remain unrecovered. The recovery of 11 sophisticated foreign-made firearms and 394 rounds of ammunition from a house in North Badda also highlights the severity of the threat. Recent reports of political violence across the country further highlight the threat posed by illegal arms. According to the Human Rights Support Society, at least five people were killed and 970 injured in election-related violence nationwide in the two months following the announcement of the election schedule.
The government, therefore, must remain extra cautious and step up efforts across the country to prevent further violence. It is reassuring that nearly 10 lakh law enforcers have been deployed to maintain law and order during the February 12 polls. However, this must be complemented by proactive and coordinated action to stop the inflow of illegal arms. Strengthening border and intelligence surveillance, dismantling smuggling networks, and recovering looted firearms are urgent priorities now. The borders must be secured by all means, and constant vigilance must be ensured during and after the polls to maintain law and order in the country.
