Any illegal weapons being used by nefarious individuals could intimidate voters, disrupt campaigns, or fuel violence - a scenario that we must avoid at all costs. As such, a robust, coordinated crackdown on illegal arms must be treated as a national priority. Law enforcement agencies have been left wanting for some time now, and citizens must be assured that they are acting impartially and targeting arms traffickers regardless of political affiliation. These days leading up to the election are crucial, and we need our law enforcement to be operating with full transparency. We need our law enforcement to be united and send a clear message: Illegal arms and explosives have no place in our plans for a better Bangladesh.

Source: Dhaka Tribune January 26, 2026 10:08 UTC