With the upcoming national election scheduled for tomorrow, security concerns arise from missing firearms and unreturned licensed weapons, according to experts and law enforcement officials.
In the lead-up to the polls, instances of political violence and attacks on journalists have surged, as reported by rights group Ain o Salish Kendra. Between February 1 and 10, 58 incidents of political violence resulted in 489 injuries and two fatalities, with 47 journalists assaulted. This marks a significant increase compared to the previous period, which saw 49 incidents, 414 injuries, and four deaths at the end of January, along with 16 journalist attacks throughout the month.
To address the security challenges, the police have implemented a three-tier security strategy involving static forces at polling centers, mobile patrol teams in surrounding areas, and rapid response units on standby for emergencies. Additionally, the home ministry has halted departures from land ports to ensure a smooth election process.
Following a deadline set by the interim government, licensed firearm holders were required to deposit their weapons at police stations by January 31. However, out of approximately 53,702 legal firearms license-holders, only 27,995 complied. The Police Headquarters reported that around 20,000 firearms remain undeposited, with exceptions granted to certain individuals such as political leaders and election candidates.
Efforts to recover looted firearms, including 1,330 still missing out of the 5,760 stolen from police facilities, are ongoing. Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam emphasized the threat posed by illegal weapons and assured a comprehensive security plan for the election, supported by police, Ansar forces, and a significant army presence.
Despite the challenges, law enforcement agencies aim to ensure a secure and fair election process. The joint forces are conducting operations to retrieve weapons, with recent successes including the recovery of firearms, ammunition, and the apprehension of criminals. However, concerns remain regarding the impact of firearms on public safety and the electoral environment.
With a significant number of polling centers identified as high or medium-risk, the police plan to enhance surveillance using body-worn cameras. Over 150,000 police personnel will be involved in election security, alongside armed forces, Border Guard Bangladesh officers, and Ansar officials. Precautions against militancy threats are in place, with a focus on maintaining a safe electoral environment.
