Urgent Drive to Reinforce Police

The government has ordered the immediate recruitment of 2,701 constables to strengthen the country’s law enforcement capacity amid mounting concerns over public safety and the proliferation of illegal firearms. The announcement was made by Salahuddin Ahmed following a meeting with senior officials at the Ministry of Home Affairs in Bangladesh Secretariat on Monday.

According to the Home Minister, the recruitment process will commence without delay, with administrative preparations already under way. The move is intended to address manpower shortages at field level, reinforce routine patrol operations, and enhance the overall responsiveness of the police service in both urban and rural areas.

Concerns Over Unrecovered Firearms

In a candid assessment of the current security landscape, the minister revealed that more than 10,000 firearms remain unaccounted for and are now considered illegal. These weapons, he warned, pose a serious threat to public order and may be linked to criminal activity.

“Possession of such firearms may lead to legal action,” he said, adding that law enforcement agencies would undertake systematic recovery operations in accordance with due legal procedures. No individual or group, he stressed, would be shielded from accountability.

Security analysts note that the circulation of unlicensed weapons often correlates with spikes in violent crime, political intimidation, and organised criminal networks. The government’s renewed focus on weapons recovery is therefore being viewed as a critical step towards stabilising the law and order situation.

Review of Firearms Licences

The minister further announced a comprehensive review of firearms licences issued during the tenure of the previous administration. Each licence will be scrutinised to determine whether it was granted in compliance with established legal and procedural requirements.

Particular attention will be paid to licences allegedly issued for political considerations. If evidence suggests that a licence was granted on partisan grounds or through irregular means, it will be revoked. Any firearms held under such licences will also be confiscated.

Officials indicated that a verification committee may be formed to accelerate the review process and ensure transparency. The government aims to complete the reassessment swiftly while maintaining procedural fairness.

Summary of Key Measures

Restoring Public Confidence

The Home Minister reaffirmed that aligning law enforcement with public expectations remains the government’s foremost priority. By expanding police capacity and tightening oversight of firearms licensing, the authorities aim to rebuild public trust and reinforce the rule of law.

If implemented efficiently, the twin initiatives of recruitment and licence verification are expected to enhance operational readiness, deter criminal activity, and promote a safer environment for citizens across the country.