Bangladesh offers up to Tk 500,000 for tips on looted police weapons
Staff Correspondent
The government is offering cash rewards for information leading to the recovery of weapons looted during last year’s July Uprising, when police stations and outposts were attacked across the country.
Home Advisor Jahangir Alam said on Monday that Tk 50,000 will be given for information on pistols or shotguns, Tk 100,000 for Chinese rifles, Tk 150,000 for submachine guns, and Tk 500,000 for light machine guns. Each recovered bullet will carry a reward of Tk 500.
The scheme applies to police weapons and ammunition stolen during the violence on Aug 5, 2024, when stations were ransacked and set ablaze after the Awami League government’s fall.
Large numbers of firearms and rounds remain missing, with many believed to have entered criminal networks.
According to police, 1,363 firearms and more than 257,000 rounds of ammunition are still unaccounted for.
Officials fear they could be used in robberies, assaults, or to fuel unrest ahead of national elections.
Jahangir said the identities of those providing information would be kept confidential.
