"Stolen weapons have still not been recovered in Feni."

In Feni, a significant number of firearms looted from police stations after 5 August remain unaccounted for, over 17 months later. Most of the illegal weapons used during the uprising have also not been recovered. Law enforcement authorities warn that these dangerous arms remain beyond official control, raising serious concerns over public safety, particularly ahead of the upcoming national elections.

Reports indicate that during the student-led and public protests, members of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations opened indiscriminate fire in an effort to suppress the movement, resulting in the deaths of at least eight people in the district. On 5 August, the day marking calls for the government’s resignation, a total of 33 firearms were looted from police stations. Among these, five pistols and two shotguns are yet to be recovered.

Despite intensive operations over the past 17 months, the majority of the weapons used in the uprising remain missing. Political parties have expressed concerns that these untraced arms could pose a severe threat during the forthcoming elections.

Zainal Abedin, the BNP-nominated candidate for Feni-2, stated: “Countless people were killed using these weapons. Many of these arms are still unrecovered, and now firearms have been looted from the police stations as well. Immediate action is essential to recover these weapons and apprehend those carrying them.”

Fakhruddin Manik, the Jamaat-nominated candidate for Feni-3, added: “While we remain hopeful for a fair election, we cannot dismiss our fears. Many individuals previously involved in criminal and terrorist activities are still at large, including some named in ongoing cases.”

The failure to recover these firearms has sparked outrage among the families of those killed during the July protests and the participants of the movement. Police report that only 95 licensed weapons have been surrendered voluntarily.

A youth who took part in the July protests commented: “The weapons looted from police stations during the protests have yet to be seized in any manner.”

Feni’s Additional Superintendent of Police (DSB), Saiful Islam, said: “We have recovered 26 firearms, and seven remain missing. Intelligence operations and field raids are ongoing. Additionally, we have reviewed footage from incidents on 4 August, where multiple firearms were used, leading to the recovery of one weapon from that footage.”

Authorities claim that surveillance and security measures have been strengthened ahead of the elections. Nevertheless, the general public remains concerned about law and order if the looted weapons are not recovered. Monira Haque, Feni District Returning Officer, emphasised: “The police, army, and RAB are conducting multiple operations, and we are closely monitoring the situation. Accurate intelligence will make our operations even more effective.”

Table: Firearms Looted and Recovered in Feni

The ongoing uncertainty regarding these weapons has heightened fears among voters, opposition candidates, and civil society about the security situation in Feni during the national elections.