[ALOCHONA] Firearms smuggling increases: 60 syndicates active, pol cadres key buyers

Firearms smuggling increases: 60 syndicates active, pol cadres key buyers

Smuggling and illegal trading of various types of local and foreign-made firearms have increased in the country as cadres of different political parties are the main buyers of those weapons,intelligence sources said.

Talking to The New Nation on Wednesday, the sources said the demand for firearms have increased from across the border as those are used in criminal activities such as murder, robbery and extortion.They said syndicates from both sides of the border control such smuggling of firearms. Despite strong security measures, gunrunners are bringing in the firearms amid rising demand from political cadres.

In the capital Dhaka alone, they said, 60 syndicates are now operating to deal with the illegal firearms. These syndicates keep constant contacts with the gunrunners from across the border.The smugglers sell small firearm sand explosives to terrorist groups in Dhaka, Chittagong and other places across the country. Gangsters prefer small weapons because these are less risky tocarry than the heavy ones.

According to a key intelligence agency, Indian-made small arms named 'Belgharia', 'Moyur' and 'Chhakka' are being smuggled into the country through the southwestern frontier, which is easier for transportation. Besides, single shooter gun,revolver, pistol and rifle also the country through the northeastern border.

On an average, each firearm is sold between Tk 25,000 and Tk.1 lakh. Unsuspecting low-income people are often used as carriers of the smuggled firearms. Smuggling and illegal trading of different types of local and foreign-made firearms have almost doubled in 2011than the previous year in the country's south-western region, added the intelligence sources.

Police and Rapid Action Battalion(Rab) teams recovered 4,000 different types of smuggled firearms in last three years,Police said arms smugglers are particularly active in at least 60 pockets in 18 bordering districts. Even some political activists are on the list of illegal arms smugglers, the sources added.

The eight-shooter gun, swan-off rifle, sub-machine gun, light machine gun and pistol, smuggled into the country, are mostly made in China, USA and Czech Republic.

Indian-made arms like pipe gun,one-shooter gun, musket rifle and revolver are also being smuggled into the country and their demands are high due to its cheap price and availability,sources said.A sub-machine gun costs Tk 2 lakhto Tk 3.5 lakh, light machine gun Tk 1.5 lakh to Tk 1.8 lakh and a foreign-made pistol Tk 80,000 to Tk 1.5 lakh.

To make arms smuggling safe,gangs usually use consignments of fruits, eggs, rice, vegetables and other items as cover up. It is alleged that border guards of India and Bangladesh often ignore routine checks because of underhand dealings.

Sources said smugglers from both the countries maintain close ties. They are well-organized and also have 'good relations' with security forces.

The weapons are supplied to other parts of the country as per the demand of the buyers, said a smuggler, adding,a good number of firearms also reach outlawed party cadres and gangs.Different types of arms are being smuggled daily into Bangladesh through its south-western borders, said an illegal arms trader.

According to Bangladesh Development Partnership Centre (BDPC), a non-government institution, there are nearly 0.4 million unauthorized firearms in the country and of them about 0.2million are being used in terrorist activities.
BDPC says political party cadres control about 50 per cent of the illegal arms while 30 per cent by smuggler sand 20 per cent by outlawed outfits and robbers in the coastal areas.

The intelligence agencies have advised the government machinery to take immediate steps to put a stop to the smuggling of firearms and explosives that may be used in terrorist activities by political cadres.The agencies said such smuggled firearms may also be used by the underground outfits to create instability in the country.

 http://thenewnationbd.com/newsdetails.aspx?newsid=35844

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