‘2,333 looted firearms still unrecovered’

Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam said on Tuesday that police were yet to recover 2,333 firearms looted from police establishments.

Of the missing weapons, more than 1,300 belong to police, while the rest were privately owned arms that had been submitted to police stations.

He disclosed the information while briefing on election preparations at the Police Headquarters Media Centre at the DMP’s Central Command and Control Centre on Abdul Goni Road in the capital.

The IGP said around 27,000 legally held firearms were recently deposited at police stations following a home ministry order.

A small number of licence holders have not yet complied, he said, adding that might have caused because they were currently abroad.

Baharul said police have identified 24,877 polling centres nationwide as risky, including 8,770 marked as very risky.

He claimed authorities had taken the highest level of preparation in the country’s history to ensure a safe election.

A total of 187,603 police personnel were deployed, alongside about 600,000 Ansar and VDP members, large numbers of Border Guard Bangladesh personnel, around 100,000 Army members and other forces, he said.

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He added that CCTV coverage had been installed at 80% to 90% of polling centres, while body-worn cameras would be used at very risky centres.

District police superintendents may also deploy drones if necessary.

The IGP said security had been arranged in three layers: static forces inside polling centres, mobile patrol teams, and striking forces to respond to emergencies.

He also reported that 317 incidents of violence occurred nationwide between 11 December and 9 February, leaving five people dead and 603 injured. “Not a single death is acceptable.”

Asked about reports of a list of 3,000 criminals, including 352 shooters, the IGP said he was unaware of such a list but noted it was not impossible in a country of more than 180 million people.

On militancy, he said police had feared possible militant attacks during the campaign period but none occurred. “We think there is no militant threat, but we are not avoiding the possible threat.”

Commenting on attacks on journalists in the Shahbagh and Hotel Intercontinental areas, Baharul said some police officers had not yet emerged from attitudes developed over the past 17 years.  He expressed hope that no violence would take place on polling day.