United News of Bangladesh

As the country gears up for the national election, Narsingdi is witnessing a surge in the use of illegal firearms, raising serious concerns about public safety and the polls environment. In char areas of the district where fights once meant sticks and locally-made weapons, gunfights have now become common. Locals said criminal gangs armed with looted and smuggled weapons are locked in violent conflicts over political dominance, extortion, drugs and the illegal sand trade. A series of murders and clashes over the past year has deepened public fear and shaken confidence in law enforcement’s ability to keep the peace, police said. Of particular concern is the cache looted from Narsingdi District Jail during July 19, 2024 unrest when the prison was attacked, set ablaze and vandalised. All 826 inmates fled during the chaos and 85 firearms along with 8,015 rounds of ammunition were stolen. Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime) Sujan Chandra Sarker said over the past one and a half years, 58 of those weapons have been recovered but 27 firearms and 6,336 rounds of ammunition are still missing. The unrecovered cache includes China and BD rifles as well as bore shotguns now believed to be circulating in the district’s criminal underworld, he said. “These weapons are being used in political rivalries, extortion, drug trafficking and control over illegal sand business,” said another senior police officer requesting anonymity. “We have stepped up intelligence operations, but the network behind the arms trade is complex and well-organised,” he added. Police said in the last year alone, they recovered 42 firearms and 200 rounds of ammunition in different raids, filed 27 regular cases and arrested 56 people. The dangers rose further last December when Sharif Osman Hadi, an independent candidate for Dhaka-8 and spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho, was shot dead in the capital’s Paltan area. Police later said the weapon used in the killing was recovered from Narsingdi town. Over the past year, the district recorded 94 murders, 17 robberies, 184 thefts, 85 rape or gang rape cases and 43 incidents of mugging, according to police record. Although 94 murder cases were filed most of the accused remain at large. The residents of Banshgari and Saidabad villages in Raipura upazila said armed criminals move around openly, spreading fear. Two retired army sergeants are alleged to be training local gangs in firearms use. Both are named in multiple cases, including murder. “People here live in constant fear. We see men with guns walking in the open. No one dares to protest” said a shopkeeper in Banshgari. Following a recent visit by the Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam, special drives were ordered in the char areas. In two such drives, law enforcers recovered several illegal weapons and arrested a number of suspects, said Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime) Sujan Chandra. Many believe policing efforts have been hampered by instability in leadership. Three superintendents of police were transferred in the past five months, causing what locals describe as a temporary disruption in law enforcement activities. One killed, 10 injured in clash over supremacy in Narsingdi Since taking charge, new superintendent of police Md Abdullah Al-Faruk has launched special drives against illegal arms and drugs. “The election will only be credible if people feel safe to go to the polling centres,” said a local rights activist. “Recovering every single looted weapon must be the top priority. Otherwise, fear will rule the ballot,” he added.

A series of recent gas cylinder explosions in Dhaka and surrounding areas have raised serious concerns about public safety, prompting urgent calls for stricter regulations and enforcement measures. The illegal trade of substandard gas cylinders, often produced in unregulated factories, is putting thousands of lives at risk. On 23 February 2025, a gas cylinder explosion in Ashulia, Savar, left a couple and their five-year-old child severely injured. Earlier, on 14 February 2025, another explosion in Ashulia injured 11 family members, including women and children. These incidents highlight the dangers associated with unsafe gas cylinders, which continue to be used in homes and businesses across Bangladesh. Following the February 14 explosion, local authorities have been assessing safety protocols and considering stricter regulations to prevent similar tragedies. Residents are urged to handle gas cylinders with caution and report any suspected leaks or safety hazards to authorities. Fires and Cylinder Explosions The risk posed by faulty gas cylinders is part of a broader fire safety crisis in Bangladesh. According to the Fire Service and Civil Defence, a staggering 26,659 fire incidents occurred across the country in 2024, averaging 73 fires per day. These incidents resulted in 341 injuries and 140 fatalities, with total property damage estimated at Tk 446.27 crore. Of these fires: 34% (9,069 incidents) were caused by electrical malfunctions. 15.52% (4,139 incidents) were sparked by burning cigarettes or bidi. 11.46% (3,056 incidents) were caused by stove-related mishaps. 2.95% (789 incidents) resulted from arson. 2.84% (759 incidents) were due to children playing with fire. 704 incidents were linked to gas cylinder leaks, while 44 cases were directly caused by gas cylinder explosions. Despite these alarming statistics, a thriving underground trade of illegal gas cylinders continues to flourish, exacerbating the risks. Gas cylinder blast leaves 2 dead in Laxmipur Growing Illegal Gas Cylinder Trade Illegal gas cylinder production and sales have become a lucrative yet deadly business in Bangladesh. Law enforcement officials report that these cylinders are produced in unregulated factories and sold at lower prices, making them attractive to consumers unaware of the dangers. “These cylinders are not subjected to the rigorous safety checks that certified ones undergo,” said Mohammad Ali, an official at the Fire Service. “The risk of explosion is significantly higher, and we urge people to avoid purchasing cylinders from unlicensed vendors.” The demand for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has surged as more households turn to it for cooking fuel. Taking advantage of this demand, illegal manufacturers recondition old cylinders with inferior materials, leading to increased risks of leaks, fires, and explosions. Some of these cylinders are even being exported to neighbouring countries, making regulation even more challenging. Flaws in Licensing Despite clear regulations requiring prior permission from the government for the import, production, storage, distribution, and marketing of gas cylinders, these rules are widely flouted. LP gas cylinders are found everywhere—from tea stalls to electronics shops—often sold without permission. In Jatrabari, gas cylinder provider Sumon Talukdar claimed his small-scale business required no licence. “This is a service for consumers,” he said. However, official policy states that no individual or organisation can sell LP gas without approval from the authorities. 6 burnt in N’ganj gas cylinder blast By law, a shop can store a maximum of 10 gas cylinders for retail sale, but only with a licence from the Department of Explosives and Fire Service. Violators can face three years in prison, fines, and confiscation of goods under sections 17 and 18 of the relevant regulations. However, many sellers remain unaware of licensing requirements, while others complain of excessive costs and bureaucratic hurdles in obtaining a permit. Deadly Consequences Low-quality LPG and compressed natural gas (CNG) cylinders are responsible for numerous explosions, causing loss of life and severe property damage. Although no comprehensive national data exist on cylinder explosions, media reports frequently highlight such incidents. Unlike many other countries, Bangladesh’s state-owned company LPGCLO does not use locally manufactured cylinders, opting instead for imports due to safety concerns. Meanwhile, Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has discarded defective cylinders, raising questions about whether adequate measures are being taken to prevent unsafe cylinders from reaching consumers. Gas cylinders, if properly maintained, can last up to 40 years. However, regulations mandate a safety inspection every 10 years under the Department of Explosives’ supervision. Despite these measures, illegal refilling businesses continue to operate openly, putting consumers at constant risk. Public Fear The widespread presence of defective gas cylinders has created fear among consumers. Abdul Karim, a resident of Motijheel, admitted he is terrified of using gas cylinders due to the frequent explosions reported in the media. Gas cylinder blast kills 3, injures 20 in Lakshmipur “This is a matter of life and death,” he said. “We need proper regulation, safety measures, and awareness campaigns to protect people.” Experts urge the urgent identification and removal of defective cylinders from the market. They also stress the need for a nationwide crackdown on unauthorised gas cylinder refilling factories. Will the Government Act? The government has pledged to tighten regulations and increase public awareness through safety campaigns. Authorities are also working with gas companies to monitor distribution networks more effectively. However, with illegal cylinders still readily available across the country, the question remains: Will authorities be able to eradicate this hazardous underground trade before another tragedy strikes?

Bangladesh and Cyprus have agreed to extend cooperation between the two countries on public safety. Bangladeshi Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and Cyprus Interior Minister Nicos Nouris expressed their optimism regarding this when they held a meeting at Taj Palace in New Delhi on Saturday, according to a message received in Dhaka. Khan was in the Indian capital for taking part in a two-day ministerial conference on “No Money for Terrors.” Md Mustafizur Rahman, Bangladesh High Commissioner to India, Public Security Division Joint Secretary Abu Hena and Minister (consular) Selim Jahangir were also present there. Representatives from 76 countries attended the conference, which was organised by India, to discuss terrorist financing and related issues. Read: Cyprus steps up dividing line patrols amid migrant influx Home ministers of about 20 countries including Russia, France, Australia, Indonesia and Singapore also joined the conference. The ministerial conference was aimed to progress the discussions on combating terrorist financing held by the international community in the previous two conferences in Paris in 2018 and Melbourne in 2019.

Bangladesh Police have signed an agreement with JSC Russian Helicopters to procure two MI-171A2 helicopters, to enhance the capacity and efficiency of the law enforcement agency and ensuring better public safety. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Benazir Ahmed and Director General of JSC Russian Helicopters Andrey Boginskiy signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organizations on Friday, according to a media release of Police headquarters. Read: Police receive final approval to procure 2 Russian helicopters Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan witnessed the signing ceremony as the chief guest, while Senior Secretary of Public Security Division Mustafa Kamal Uddin, Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Mantytsky, Additional IGPs, and other officials were present. On October 27, Bangladesh Police received the final approval from the cabinet committee on public purchase (CCPP) to procure two Russian helicopters. On October 6, the cabinet committee on economic affairs (CCEA) gave in principle its approval to the proposal. Read:Police to get 2 advanced helicopters As per the proposal, the Bangladesh Police Directorate will procure the Russian Mi-171A2 model helicopters from Russian firm JSC Russian Helicopters under a G2G contract at a cost of Euro 42.60 million, equivalent to Tk 428.12 crore. On February 10 this year, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Bangladesh Police and helicopter manufacturer JSC Russian Helicopters for the purchase of helicopters on a government-to-government (G2G) basis.

Two advanced helicopters will be added to Bangladesh Police to enhance the efficiency and capability of law enforcement to ensure better public safety.