International Desk, 12th August: Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain, Home Affairs Adviser of the interim government in Bangladesh on August 12 demanded that protesters surrender all illegal and unauthorized firearms, including those looted from law enforcement, by August 19.
Hussain warned that if the weapons are not returned to local police stations, authorities will conduct searches and impose strict charges on those found with unauthorized arms. The announcement followed violent protests that resulted in approximately 500 deaths and thousands of injuries.
Hussain, who visited injured paramilitary members at the Combined Military Hospital, criticized the theft of a 7.62 mm rifle, suggesting it was not returned. He urged those who have taken firearms to return them through intermediaries if necessary.
He also addressed comments made about shutting down media outlets for spreading false news, clarifying that such statements were made in anger and that he does not support censorship of the press.
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