DCs told to recover nearly 10,000 guns not surrendered

Deputy commissioners have been instructed to recover and seize the nearly 10,000 firearms that have not yet been surrendered despite directives, and to take legal action against those concerned, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said.

Speaking at a press briefing following a session related to the home ministry on the final day of the four-day DC Conference at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium yesterday, he also said the cases filed during the interim government’s tenure are under district-wise review.

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The home minister said letters were issued asking licence holders to return firearms licensed before January 6, 2009, and after August 5, 2024, and that district-level committees were formed to review whether those licences had been issued on political consideration or outside policy guidelines.

“Based on the committee’s assessment, firearms under licences that appear to have been issued in violation of policy or on political consideration will be excluded from return, while the rest will be returned.”

About the cases filed after August 5, 2024, he said district-wise lists have been sought.

“We are reviewing all the cases to see how many have been filed in each district,” Salahuddin said, adding that the numbers may be lower in peripheral districts but higher in metropolitan areas.

“Thousands have been accused in these cases. Steps have been taken to complete the investigations quickly so that the real offenders are identified.”

Responding to a query, he said the government has formed a committee to review the post-August 5 murder cases in which journalists have been named as accused.

On law and order, the minister said the government’s “zero tolerance” policy against drugs, extortion, and online gambling remains in place.

Asked whether “push ins” along the border could increase following political developments in India and recent rhetoric referring to Muslims as Bangladeshi infiltrators, he said he did not see any such possibility after the BJP’s victory in West Bengal.

“We have instructed the BGB to stay alert along borders. Although we do not see such a possibility, we have taken precautions in advance so that we can address the situation if it arises.”

Meanwhile, during the four-day conference -- the first under the BNP government -- top policymakers instructed DCs to maintain professionalism, honesty, dedication, and sincerity in performing their official duties.

LGRD Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, among others, also praised the DCs’ professionalism and leadership in skillfully conducting the 13th National Parliamentary Election on February 12.

Speaking to this correspondent, a DC from Mymensingh Division said being praised for election duties was very rewarding.

The conference featured discussions on more than 500 proposals, including both written and verbal ones.

DCs requested the government to bring the Land Office and the Registry Office under the same ministry. Currently, the Land Office is under the land ministry, while the Registry Office falls under the law ministry.

A DC from Dhaka Division told The Daily Star that if both offices operated under the land ministry, land-related corruption would drop by more than half.

Meanwhile, ministers and secretaries from various ministries sought the DCs’ cooperation in expediting land acquisition issues for development projects.

To prevent corruption and mismanagement in the process, DCs suggested introducing an online system for land-related compensation payments.

Policymakers emphasised the importance of coordination among the district administration, district judge courts, and the police department to maintain law and order at the local level.

According to conference sources, the nationwide drug problem was one of the issues most frequently raised by the DCs.

DCs also urged the government to take special measures to reduce digital device addiction among children and teenagers, while the government highlighted the importance of increasing the number of playgrounds, libraries, and cultural events to tackle both drug and device addiction.

Additionally, DCs were instructed to conduct regular mobile courts to prevent syndicates and hoarding of essential goods during peak seasons. In turn, the DCs suggested building the necessary storage facilities to preserve locally produced goods.

Policymakers also instructed DCs to re-verify the list of beneficiaries to ensure transparency in social safety net programmes.

Following discussions on preventing workplace sexual harassment, the government said work is underway to place a draft of a strict law in this regard before the Cabinet soon.

Regarding healthcare, DCs urged the government to fill vacant doctor positions in district and upazila health centres and ensure the regular attendance of existing medical staffers.

Speaking at the Annual Gathering 2026 of the Bangladesh Administrative Service Association at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Agargaon yesterday, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman urged the DCs to make the administration more people-oriented, reports UNB.

The event was held marking the conclusion of the four-day DC conference.

“The administration must be made people-oriented, and much of that depends on your role,” Tarique said.

“Our government wants an administration where ordinary people receive services at government offices with respect, quickly, transparently and without harassment. It is you who must ensure this.”

He also called upon deputy commissioners and divisional commissioners to work impartially and without fear for the welfare of the country and its people.

The PM described public trust as the state’s greatest asset, saying it grows gradually through transparency and accountability in government and administration.

“I strongly believe you will remain careful about this. We must remember that the administration is not just a tool for enforcing the law; rather, it is a means of serving the people.”

He said although the country faces numerous challenges, it also has significant potential. “If we can make use of our demographic dividend and turn our young and working-age population into a skilled workforce, this population will become a valuable resource. They can transform Bangladesh.

“We also need to find all possible ways to uphold the religious and social values of our state and society. We must be guided by strong family values.”