The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has announced that no legal action will be taken against anyone who returns government arms and ammunition lost from police stations and government offices within two months.
Besides, a cash reward of up to Tk2 lakh will be provided for assisting in the recovery of weapons by supplying accurate information.
RAB-7 Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Md Mostafizur Rahman disclosed these details on Monday during a view-exchange meeting with journalists at the media centre of RAB-7’s Chandgaon Camp (CPC-3) in Bahaddarhat, Chattogram.
He added that the identity of informants will be kept secret and their security will be ensured. This opportunity to voluntarily return arms will remain open until 15 November.
However, if any such arms or ammunition are found in anyone’s possession after the deadline, it will no longer be treated as a voluntary return, and legal action will be taken under existing laws.
Under the reward scheme announced by RAB, Tk2 lakh will be awarded for providing information that aids the recovery of lost rifles, submachine guns (SMGs), light machine guns (LMGs), and sniper rifles.
A reward of Tk50,000 will be given for shotguns, pistols, and gas guns. Additionally, Tk 1,500 will be paid for sound grenades and tear shells, while Tk50 per round will be awarded for all types of ammunition.
The RAB-7 Commanding Officer highlighted that government arms are not the private property of any individual or organisation, but state assets used for maintaining law, order, and public security.
He warned that if these weapons fall into the hands of criminals or miscreants, they could pose a major threat to public safety.
He added that, in line with government decisions, a special joint operation led by RAB involving various law enforcement agencies will be conducted to recover the missing weapons, noting that public cooperation is vital to the effort.
