PABNA, Dec 08: Ahead of the upcoming 13th national parliamentary elections, various types of Indian weapons along with illegal drugs are entering Bangladesh through the Daulatpur border in Kushtia.
These weapons smuggled from the neighbouring country through the border are being supplied to criminals across the country.
If these weapons are used, conducive environment to the upcoming elections is apprehended to be seriously hampered.
However, although the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and law enforcement agencies have recovered two or three weapons from these illegal arms shipments from India and arrested many of the smugglers, the main instigators of the arms trade remain undetected.
According to various sources, different types of illegal weapons along with illicit drugs are being smuggled from India through various borders points including Dharmadaha, Bilgatua, Jamalpur, Mahishkundi, Thotarpara, Munshiganj, Chalishpara, Charpara, Atarpara, Udaynagar and Banglabazar in Daulatpur upazila.
These weapons include US-made sophisticated pistols, 7 MM pistols, 9 MM pistols, LG, shooter guns and various types of firearms. The types of drugs smuggled from India include Phensedyl, heroin, yaba, marijuana and LSD.Weapons are also coming with these.
And local influential circles are involved in smuggling of these weapons.They smuggle weapons along with drugs using the same political support.
According to intelligent sources, about 3,000 different types of weapons have been smuggled through these border points in several consignments.
And among those involved in smuggling these weapons along with drugs, the identified smugglers from Jamalpur, Pakuria Bhangapara, adjacent to the border under Pragpur union of Daulatpur Upazila, and Kayamari areas under Hogalbaria union are notable.
With the support of influential people, they are spreading these weapons to different parts of the country and they have been continuing such activities for a long time.
After the change of regime on August 5, 2024 (fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government), the law and order situation inside the country became unstable and fragile and drug and arms smuggling increased through this border.
However, when the situation became somewhat normal and under control, 35 firearms and 334 rounds of bullets were recovered and 28 members of the drug and arms smuggling gangs were arrested in the operations of the BGB, police and joint forces in the last 16 months.
Regarding the smuggling of weapons across the border, Daulatpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Solaiman Sheikh told the FE, "I do not know anything about smuggling of weapons." He mentioned that the law and order situation in Daulatpur is normal.
However, Bheramara Circle Additional Superintendent of Police Delwar Hossain told The Financial Express, "I have been here for two months, I have heard about smuggling of weapons, but due to some limitations, it is not possible to say everything."
Lieutenant Colonel Rashed Kamal Rony, commander of Kushtia Battalion (47 BGB), told The Financial Express that the BGB is in a strict position to ensure security and prevent drugs and weapons smuggling on the border.
More strict and effective operations against drugs, arms and various illegal activities are ongoing. In addition, strict surveillance is continuing on the border.
Conscious circles are of the opinion that these arms smuggled from India may pose a threat to the free, fair and impartial holding of the upcoming national elections.
That is why a robust operation is needed to recover arms and bring the godfathers involved in arms smuggling to book.
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