Many, including former ministers and MPs of Chittagong, have not surrendered their firearms yet. 146 weapons have not been deposited in the police station or district administration till now after the government directive. Action will be taken against those who have not submitted the licensed weapons within this week, said the newly joined Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanam.
He said that those who did not submit their weapons within the deadline, their weapons are no longer valid. These weapons are now illegal.
According to district administration sources, a total of 842 arms licenses were issued from January 6, 2009 to August 5, 2024. Almost all of it was given to Awami League leaders and activists. By September 3, 696 of those weapons had been deposited. The remaining 146 weapons are yet to be submitted. Most of those who have not laid down their arms are absconding or in hiding.
Former Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel is among those who have not surrendered their arms. He has two licensed arms in his name. One is a pistol and the other is a shotgun. The weapons have not yet been deposited. There is a pistol in the name of SM Al Mamun, former Member of Parliament from Sitakunda. It has not been submitted. The pistols of two sons of Awami League leader Engineer Mosharraf Hossain, former MP of Mirsarai Mahbub ur Rahman Ruhel and his elder brother Sabed ur Rahman have not been submitted. Chittagong-16 (Banshkhali) Former Member of Parliament Mustafizur Rahman Chowdhury has pistol and single gun license. He has not submitted the two weapons yet. Former Member of Parliament of Chittagong-15 (Satkania-Lohagara) Constituency Abu Reza Mohammad Nezam Uddin Nadvir also has two arms licences. The shotgun and pistol were also not deposited. A pistol was licensed in the name of Khadijatul Anwar Soni, former Member of Parliament of Fatikchari, but it was not deposited with the police station.
A gun licensed in the name of the former mayor of Banskhali municipality Selimul Haque Chowdhury was also not submitted. Chambal Union Chairman Mujibul Haque Chowdhury, who threatened former US Ambassador Peter Haas, did not even collect the gun.
Shotguns and pistols licensed in the name of General Secretary Saifuddin Chowdhury of Dabua Union Awami League of Raujan Upazila have not been deposited.
Chittagong Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanom told Yugantar, I joined the office on Thursday and spent a few hours. But I can say that those who have not submitted their weapons within the deadline given by the government, a decision will be taken next week.