Rajshahi, Sep 05 (V7N) - While students are protesting for their rights, both the police and armed criminal groups have taken up arms to counter them. On August 5, there was an open display of local weapons and even firearms in front of the police.
 
According to the Rajshahi Range DIG Office, of the 349 weapons stolen from various police stations and outposts in the Rajshahi Division following the uprising on August 5, 257 have been recovered, but 92 are still missing. Additionally, out of 16,822 rounds of ammunition stolen, 5,795 have been recovered, leaving 11,027 rounds still unaccounted for.
 
In the Rajshahi Division, out of 2,279 licensed weapons, 1,131 have been returned, but 1,148 are still missing.
 
In response, Rajshahi Range's Additional DIG (Operations) Mohammad Saiful Islam stated that a directive was issued for the return of the looted weapons and ammunition to the police stations by September 3. Following this, from Wednesday, a nationwide joint operation will be launched in Rajshahi and elsewhere to recover illegal weapons. Strict measures will be taken if any weapons or ammunition are found during the operation.
 
Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner Dr. Dewan Mohammad Humayun Kabir assured that all illegal weapons would be recovered. No weapon or ammunition will be left unaccounted for. The joint forces are closely monitoring the situation. Professor Dr. A.K.M. Mahmudul Haque from the Rajshahi University’s Department of Political Science remarked that firearms in civilian hands pose a significant threat to public safety. To ensure security in the Rajshahi region, it is crucial that, in addition to joint operations by the forces, ordinary citizens also take action. The presence of such deadly weapons among civilians disrupts law and order and endangers public safety.
 
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