Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said that the government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against illegal firearms and is actively working to withdraw false and politically motivated cases filed during the previous regime.
The home minister made the remarks while briefing journalists after a meeting at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital on Wednesday. The meeting was part of the ongoing four-day Deputy Commissioners’ Conference 2026.
“We have instructed the field administration to intensify crackdowns to recover nearly 10,000 illegal firearms that were not deposited during the tenure of the interim government,” the minister said.
Regarding licensed arms, the minister said many firearms deposited before the national election have not yet been returned. He noted that the home ministry has issued a letter outlining three categories for their return: Firearms licensed before 6 January 2009, those licensed after 5 August 2024, and licenses issued between these dates based on political considerations that have been verified by a review committee.
On the issue of false cases, the home minister said a committee led by district magistrates would review harassing and politically motivated cases filed under the past government.
Victims can apply using a prescribed form along with the charge sheet or complaint, he added. After primary scrutiny, recommendations will be sent to the law ministry via the home ministry, and steps will be taken to withdraw the cases under Section 494 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
He also asked investigating officers to ensure that no innocent person or journalist faces harassment in cases related to post-5 August incidents of mass killings.
On the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha
The home minister also added that no cattle markets will be allowed on roads, highways, or next to railway tracks ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. Large markets will have machines to detect fake notes, and police will patrol with bodycams on.
The police headquarters will set up a central monitoring cell seven days before Eid, and highways will be under round-the-clock CCTV surveillance, the minister added. Ferry terminals will have public address systems and awareness signboards to ensure passenger safety.
To protect the leather industry, the government will supply adequate salt free of cost at the upazila level to preserve hides for up to seven days at the grassroots level, Salahuddin added.
Deputy commissioners have been instructed to create awareness so that hides are brought to Dhaka gradually after seven days, considering the capacity of the effluent treatment plant (ETP) system in the capital.
Border security, narcotics, and gambling
Responding to a question about possible pushback given the political situation in West Bengal, the home minister said the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been put on maximum alert along the border.
He also reiterated the government’s “zero tolerance” policy on drugs, gambling, and online betting, adding that regular drives would continue.
Home Ministry Manzur Morshed Chowdhury, IGP Md Ali Hossain Fakir, and other department heads were also present during the briefing.
