The interim government on Monday announced cash rewards for information leading to the recovery of firearms looted in July and August, with the highest amount of Tk 5 lakh for the recovery of a light machine gun.
Home adviser retired Lieutenant General Jahangir Alam Chowdhury disclosed the reward plan at a press briefing after a meeting of the Core Committee on The Law and Order at the Secretariat.
He also said that anyone providing information leading to the recovery of a sub-machine gun will get Tk 1.5 lakh, Tk 1 lakh for a Chinese rifle, Tk 50,000 for a pistol or shotgun, and Tk 500 for each bullet.
Jahangir said that the reward would apply to the looted police weapons and ammunition while the identities of the informants would be kept confidential.
With the elections approaching, politicians and law enforcement officials fear that these weapons could be used to create unrest.
However, the home adviser said that if political parties and the public remain election-focused, there will be no problems regarding the law and order before the polls.
He promised to deliver 鈥榩eaceful and fair election鈥� with everyone鈥檚 cooperation.
On August 5, past year, after the Awami League government was toppled amid a student-led mass uprising, attacks were carried out on police stations, outposts, and various police installations across the country.
Everything was looted and set on fire while police vehicles were torched, and arms and ammunition were looted at that time.
A large number of weapons and ammunition looted at that time have not yet been recovered.
A total of 5,753 firearms and 6,51,609 rounds聽of ammunition were looted from various police stations and outposts, according to the police headquarters.
The looted arms included rifles, SMGs, LMGs, 7.62x25mm pistols, 9x19mm pistols, shotguns, gas guns, teargas launchers, and 26mm signal pistols.
Jahangir Alam also said that since various recruitment processes are underway, 鈥榬ecruitment trading鈥� had also increased.
He said, 鈥業f anyone is involved in recruitment trading, they will be brought under the law. All necessary measures are being taken in this regard.鈥�
Pointing out that after he assumed the adviser鈥檚 role, the number of 鈥榝riends and relatives鈥� around him has increased, the former army officer said, telling people, 鈥業f any of them are involved in extortion or other crimes, please provide information about them.鈥�
Addressing journalists, he said, 鈥業f we engage in corruption, please write about it. But I request you not to report false information. Once news is published, the damage to one鈥檚 reputation cannot be undone with a rejoinder.鈥�
When asked about reports that the Gazipur police commissioner聽blocks roads while commuting from his residence to the office, the home adviser said that, 鈥楬e has been served a show-cause notice regarding this matter.鈥�
