In the wake of recent violent protests in Bangladesh, Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain, the Home Affairs Adviser to the interim government, has issued a stern warning to protesters. On Monday, Hussain announced a deadline of August 19 for individuals in possession of illegal and unauthorized firearms, including those looted from law enforcement agencies during the unrest, to surrender their weapons.
Hussain emphasized that any firearms not returned to local police stations by the deadline will prompt authorities to conduct searches. Those found with unauthorized weapons will face legal charges. The announcement comes as part of a broader effort to restore order and security following the recent upheaval.
The interim adviser made these remarks while visiting the Combined Military Hospital, where he spoke to reporters about the ongoing situation. The visit was part of his effort to address the injuries sustained by members of the Bangladesh Ansar paramilitary force during the protests.
The call for surrender of weapons follows a period of intense political unrest in Bangladesh. Last week, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India amid widespread protests against her government. The protests, driven by dissatisfaction with a controversial job quota system, resulted in significant violence and chaos. The unrest has claimed the lives of around 500 people, including students, and injured several thousand others.
Hussain referenced a specific incident where a 7.62 mm rifle was captured on video being taken away by a youth. This, he noted, indicated that the weapon had not been surrendered. He urged individuals who might be fearful to hand over their firearms through intermediaries if necessary.
In a related development, Hussain sought to clarify previous remarks about media freedom. He had earlier suggested that media outlets could face closure for publishing false or misleading news. However, he has since toned down his stance, stating that his comments were made in anger and that he does not support shutting down media organizations.
The political landscape of Bangladesh has shifted significantly with the appointment of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus as the head of the interim government. Yunus was sworn in last Thursday, and a 16-member advisory council has been established to assist him in governing the country. This new interim administration is tasked with stabilising the nation and addressing the fallout from the recent unrest.
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