Research Paper
On
Illegal Arms Proliferation in Bangladesh: Is Bangladesh Turing to a Transit Route
of Illegal Arms.
Course Name: Qualitative Methods in Social Research
Course No: 304
SUBMITTED TO
Dr. A.S.M. Ali Ashraf
Assistant Professor
Dept. of International Relations,
University of Dhaka.
SUBMITTED BY
Sumaiya Hossain (RK 11)
Tohura Moriom Misti (SN 19)
Tabassum Wanaiza (KM 30)
Kabita Islam (FM 37)
2nd year, 3rd semester,
Dept. of International Relations,
University of Dhaka.
Date of Submission: May 10, 2012
Contents
Topics
1. Introduction
Page No.
1
2. Research Methodology
1-2
3. Existing Illegal Arms in Bangladesh
3
4. Possible Routes of illegal Arms are in
3-5
Bangladesh
5. Present reality of Bangladesh
6-8
6. Causes of Illegal Arms Access in
8-9
Bangladesh
7. Theoretical and Policy Implications
9-12
7.1 Existing Policies
7.2 Implications of these Policies in
Bangladesh
8. Testing conventional Wisdom
12-14
9. Testing Alternative Explanations
14-15
10. Our Central Research Findings
15-20
11. Is Bangladesh Turning to a Transit
20-23
Route of Illicit Illegal Small Arms
Trade?
12. Recommendation
23-25
13.Concluding Remarks
26
14. Bibliography
27-29
15. Appendix
30
1. Introduction:
We all know that arms are very important for the security of a country whereas illegal arms have
very pessimistic effect on security of every country. Since Bangladesh is a developing country
and the law enforcement agencies are not well directed, illegal arms proliferation is increasing
here day by day. Everyday most of the news is published basis on hijack and arms accumulation.
It threats on our internal security. These illegal arms come from neighboring country (India,
Pakistan, Myanmar etc) as well as from the other countries by using illegal ways in Bangladesh.
There are rules and laws in Bangladesh to obstruct illegal arms trading and our Government has
taken the steps to protect these occurrences. But it is not possible for some deceptive people and
their unconsciousness about its destruction. Thousands of arms are accumulated but who are
involved with these could not be identified. They are remaining out of reach. It has terrible effect
on our future generation. In this research our goal is to find the routes of illegal arms trading and
to find some possible conduct to protect our country from demoralizing.
2. Research Methodology:
As our topic is concern of recent situation, there are very few research has been done on this. The
exact number of illicit arms in Bangladesh is not well-collected. Statistics of these arms are not
sufficient. There have no sufficient journals, books or information about this issue. To do this
research we are mainly depend on primary issue. Those data what we collect are mainly based on
primary source such as daily newspaper, experts interviewing. Secondary data also have been
placed in our research paper based on several articles, journals, books and statistics collected
from safer-world, seminar library, RAB, Bangladesh Police and internet source.
i) Technique of Primary Data Collection:
Our primary data consists of Daily newspaper reviews from 2008 to 2011 collected from paper
section of Central Library. To collect data we follow the leading newspaper “Prothom Alo”. We
mainly focus on types of grabbed arms including raw materials, quantity of arms, traffickers,
users, their age, grabbing force etc. Collecting data, we make average of four years into one year
of these collections and search out percentage of data. We draw a graph on the basis of
fluctuation on cases from 2008 to 2011.
Another part of primary source is expert interviews. We have interviewed two experts until
today. RAB “Commander Mohammad Shohial” and Bangladesh Representative of SaferWorld “Neila Hossain” are very co-operative in this regard.
Followed Newspaper
Duration
Prothom Alo
2008 -2011
Search Period
Focused Issue
Types of grabbed
February 1to February arms, quantities of
16
arms,
traffickers,
users,
their
age,
grabbing force etc.
Table: 1
Interviewee
Date
RAB director
Shohial
Bangladesh
Representative of
Safer-World Neila
Hossain
20.02.2012
19.02.2012
Their thought
Conceptual Different
Illegal arms
Very hopeful to
proliferation is in
sustain peace in
control.
Bangladesh.
Proliferation of small
Feeling threat to
arms is increasing day
internal security.
by day.
Table: 2
ii) Technique of Secondary Data Collection:
Our secondary data consists of several articles, journals, books and statistics. As there are very
few researches or articles on this topic, we have very minor sources of secondary data which
make us prompt toward being hard-working to overcome. Here are some articles we used in our
research got from Safer-world such as “Combating the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light
Weapons”, “Impact of Small Arms and Light Weapons”. Armed Groups: Studies in national
security, counter terrorism and counterinsurgency, Contemporary security issues in the Asiapacific and Bangladesh, are collected from seminar library. There are also other sources such as
“Challenges to peace and security: Consulting Communities on Small arms in Bangladesh”,
“Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nation At the Preparatory Committee for
United Nation Conference on Arms Trade Treaty New York” etc.
3. Existing Illegal Arms in Bangladesh:
The arms, which are smuggled into Bangladesh include AK-47, US pistol, M-16, 9mm pistol,
Mouzer pistol, US Taraus, Italy's Pertrobarota, Germany's Ruby, US Revolver, Chinese rifle,
Kalashnikov, Indian pistol, Indian revolver, LMG, SMG, pipe gun and 22 bore pistol. Grenades
and rocket launchers are also being collected now.1A pie chart is given below based on our
research that shows the quantity of different types of the collected illegal arms by our law
enforcement agencies:
Different Types of Arms
Bullets
Bombs
Revolver and Pistols
LG guns and Grenades
Rifles and other guns
Pie chart: 1
4. Possible Routes of Illegal Arms in Bangladesh:
As we all know Bangladesh is surrounded by India in three sides, one small portion of her is
surrounded by Myanmar and a semi-large portion is surrounded by the Bay-of-Bengal. .
Bangladesh’s geopolitical location is characterized by her long border of about 1700 miles with
two neighbors. With India she has common border of about 1550 miles on east west and north.
Her common border with Myanmar is about 123 miles.2 Here is the map of Bangladesh that will
show us the actual location of Bangladesh.
1
Shamsi,
A
Nayyer,
Arms
Trade
in
Bangladesh,
http://newsdawn.blogspot.com/2011/05/arms-trade-in-bangladesh.html)
2
May
27,
2011.
Hussain, Akmal ‘Geopolitics and Bangladesh Foreign Policy’CLIO,VOL.vii1989. page 97.
(available
on
Map-1: Bangladesh-India Common Border.
In this map we can see that mostly Bangladesh is connected with India with rivers as well as they
share common land border. Bangladesh-Myanmar common border is comparatively small than
that. So it is definite that most of the illegal arms are entering into our country from the transit
route of India and then from the Bay-of-Bengal and then from Myanmar. There are also internal
arms factory in different parts of our country. Arms factory are available mostly in hill areas.
According to the information of the intelligence agencies, there are 48 points through which
arms are smuggling into the country. These are the followings: Ramu, Moheshkhali, Inani
Beach, Khashiakhali, Anwara and Shikalbaha are the most discussed routes. In addition to arms
are entering into the country through Rajshahi, Chuadanga, Kushtia, Tentulia, Teknaf, Jointa of
Habiganj, Chhatak, Meherpur, Akhaura, Bibir Bazar of Comilla, Chouddagram, Bilonia of Feni,
Pechiabaria of Amtali, Patia of Chittagong, Dinajpur, Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), Srimangal,
Jhinaigati of Sherpur, Kamlganj, Jadabpur, Khagrachhari, Cox's Bazaar, Halishahar, Jessore,
Doulatpur, Netrakona and Sundarban. Arms are now coming from Kaikhali of the Sundarbans to
Chilmari of Kushtia.3These routes are pointing below through a map:
3
Ibid (Shamsi, A. Nayyer, Arms Trade in Bangladesh,
http://newsdawn.blogspot.com/2011/05/arms-trade-in-bangladesh.html)
May
27,
2011.
available
on
Map-2: Bangladesh’s Internal Arms Factory Areas.
In this map we marked the places where illegal arms are being smuggled into Bangladesh
according to the intelligence agencies.
5. Present Reality of Bangladesh:
The government of Bangladesh, law and order system, law enforcement agencies, civil society
and media although working very hard in combating IILIGAL ARMS PROLIFERATION, the
real scenario is by far different. It is estimated that Bangladesh is turning towards a transit route
for Arms trafficking in South Asia. Arms trend is quite different now-a-days. Although
Bangladesh Government trying its best to increase capabilities of Law Enforcement Agencies to
combat the proliferation, but now it is high time to develop public concern about this matter.
Again as it needs bilateral and regional cooperation among the South Asian States and by far
global cooperation is also needed on this concern, Bangladesh needs to develop foreign relations
as well as should include this matter on its foreign policy decision making process to work hand
in hand on preventing illegal arms proliferation in Bangladesh.
The accessibility of firearms in Bangladesh is typified by the relatively safe movement enjoyed
by international arms smugglers across the country's borders. In regard to human security, the
emerging gun culture in Bangladesh has contributed to an increasing number of violent criminal
activities. Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) also threaten national security, while failure
to stop incidents of violent confrontation could lead to economic insecurity. 4
Most of the foreign illegal revolvers are copies of US-made Colt Detective Special S&W
Performance Centre Model 25; the pistols are copies of German-made HK P2000 and Italianmade Beretta M951 and M951R. These guns are all manufactured in India and are smuggled into
Bangladesh.5
A survey conducted in early 2000 estimated at least 50 cottage-based illegal arms factories that
were re-fabricating and manufacturing arms in the country.6
According to the Bangladesh Development Partnership Centers (BDPC), there are 128
syndicates of arms. The number of illegal arms in the country is now 400,000, which price is 3
4
http:// www.ssnetwork.net/
http:// www.yahoo.com/dhakamail
6
Khafi, Sharif A., Study on illegal Small Arms and Violence in Bangladesh,(2001) Background Report, Bangladesh
Development Partnership Centre (BDPC), Dhaka, Bangladesh.
5
billion takas (Tk). Of the arms, 135,000 were traced, but the rest of the arms have no trace.7
BPDC Director Sharif A. Kafi said the number of armed terrorists in the country is 600,000. Of
them 40 percent are fewer than 18 terrorists. As many as 10,000 licenses of arms were given on
urgent basis in the past 15 years from 1991 to 2006 and verification was not done in most of the
cases.8 It is reported that 600-700 weapons enter Bangladesh from India and Myanmar each
month.9
In Bangladesh, there are the numbers of unlawfully held guns estimated to be 400,000.10 And
unlawfully held guns are estimated to be 0.28 illicit firearms per 100 people.11
In the case of Bangladesh, the use of arms has spread more widely, to the extent that expressions
of any disagreement between political parties in power and in the opposition are found to be
violent. The frequency of politically motivated violence has increased over the decades with such
an ease that can be dangerous for the healthy growth of politics in any modern state system. 12
Case Study: 1
The incident of Hauling 10 truck arms and ammunition was held at the night of 1 April 2004 at Chittagong Urea
Fertilizer Limited (CUFL), Chittagong. This is the biggest smuggling of the history of Bangladesh. This is inferred
that the delivery was going to United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), a militant group from Assam, India. The
police seized a total of 4,930 different types of sophisticated firearms, 27,020 grenades, 840 rocket launchers, 300
rockets, 2,000 grenade launching tubes, 6,392 magazines and 11,40,520 bullets while they were being loaded on 10
trucks from two engine boats at the jetty of CUFL. High government officials and intelligences were assumed to be
related to the incident. The judgment of this smuggling has not been done even after 5 years. 13
7
Ibid (Shamsi, A. Nayyer,. Arms Trade in Bangladesh (2011). http://newsdawn.blogspot.com/2011/05/arms-tradein-bangladesh.html accessed at 10 a.m. in May 8, 2012.
8
Ibid (Shamsi, A. Nayyer,. Arms Trade in Bangladesh (2011). http://newsdawn.blogspot.com/2011/05/arms-tradein-bangladesh.html accessed at 10 a.m. in May 8, 2012
9
Muniruzzaman, ANM, , Major General, ndc, psc (Retd), Transnational Security :Threats facing Bangladesh
,International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) report
10
Kafi, Sharif A., (2005) , ‘Availability of Small Arms’, Illigal Small Arms and Human Insecurity in Bangladesh, p
14, Dhaka: Bangladesh Devolopment Partnership Center/BPDC, 1 November (Q 2939).
11
GunPolicy.org.(2011).‘Calculated Rates – Bangladesh.’ Historical Population Data – USCB International Data
Base.Suitland, MD:US Census Bureau Population Division,17 March. (Q4203)
12
Hussain, Neila, Proliferation of Small Arms and Politics in South Asia: The Case of Bangladesh , RCSS Policy
Studies 7 .www.rcss.org/publication/.../RCSS%20Policy%20Studies%207.pdf
13
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10-Truck_Arms_and_Ammunition_Haul_in_Chittagong accessed on May 8, 2012
Case Study: 2
Arms, bullets and explosives were recovered on Friday (July 4th, 2003) during joint searches by Bangladesh Rifles
and Police confirming Police suspicion that the arms were smuggled into Bangladesh to seriously destabilize law
and order in the country. A Police release said that the terrorists had chosen Kahalu and its adjoining areas as safe
haven for storage of these arms and ammunition for later use. Police and BDR forces in a joint raid recovered 500
bullets from drain water at Jogarpara village in Kahalu. With this haul, a total of 93192 bullets and 174 kgs of
explosives were recovered, according to the Police sources. Police in their first drive on June 27 recovered a total of
45,450 bullets and 84 kgs of explosives from a truck at Jogarpara village under Kahalu thana of Bogra district. On
July 1, Police and Paramilitary BDR personnel in their joint drive recovered 26,774 bullets and 48 kgs of explosives
from different areas at Jogarpara village.The prime accused in this case was reported to be an activist of a leadind
political party.14
6. Causes of Illegal Arms Access in Bangladesh:
South Asia is regarded as the most dangerous place in the world. Numerous intractable threats
and challenges, particularly those emerge from Militancy, Insurgency, Arms race, Anti regime
movement, Terrorism, Religious extremism, interstate disputes etc threats and challenges make
the region one of the most dangerous regions of the world. 15 Bangladesh is situated in a supreme
point of South Asia. So it is definite to have access of illegal arms in our country. There can be
several reasons for the easy access of these illegal arms in our country. They are the followings:
I.
Historical Reason: Since the Pakistani rule smuggling of arms begun. Many weapons
were not returned back to the government after the liberation war. Many of those still
remain in civilian’s hand. Those are also still uncounted. Many people who used the arms
during the war they kept those to themselves for their self defense.
II.
Security Purpose: Many business men of our country try to keep arms for their safety as
the law enforcement agencies of our country are not so effective. For example the
fisheries business men, even some farmers keep the arms for the safety of their goods. As
maintaining the legal arms become expensive for them, they try to use the illegal arms
that do not require any cost.
14
15
www.bogra.info/mybogra.html accessed on May 8, 2012
http://www.scribd.com/doc/52217819/Bangladesh
III.
External Interest: Many external powers want to create chaos in the internal environment
of our country. This causes illegal arms running in our country by its neighbors and other
great powers. Even they are influencing many young hearts of our country to use these
illegal arms as access of guns mean the access of power.
IV.
Weaker Monitoring System: the border monitoring system of our country is very weak
and corrupted. The border guards are not that much aware about the impact of easy
access of illegal arms in our country.
V.
Lack of Report Continuity: Lack of continuity of the news regarding to illegal arms issue
can be another cause of it. In our country the news agencies do not follow a continuity of
particular news. Especially the news related to the access of illegal arms is being
neglected in our news agencies. May be it is because of the influence of the government.
VI.
Lack of concern: Lack of continuity of news cause lack of concern among the people.
People of our country are still not so much aware about the possible casualties that can
happen by the easy access of the illegal arms. So lack of concern is another cause of
illegal arms proliferation in Bangladesh.
VII.
Greed: The greedy people are also responsible for this. Some greedy people keep the
illegal arms as it does not require any cost to threat the other people. They also use these
to fulfill their own interest.
VIII.
Poverty and Illiteracy: Most of the people of our country are poor and illiterate. They
always try to be rich over night that influences them to possess illegal arms to threaten
the other people. These are also a remarkable cause of the illegal arms proliferation in our
country.
So these are the main causes of the illegal arms proliferation in our country that is turning
Bangladesh to a transit route of illegal arms. In this research paper our goal is to show that
Bangladesh is becoming a transit route of illegal arms and also to recommend some policy
improvement to save our country from an ultimate violence.
7. Theoretical and Policy Implication:
To curb illegal small arms proliferation Bangladesh Government takes some policy and have
some theories. We divided them into two sections and those are the followings:
7.1 Existing policies:
Bangladesh is a peace-loving peaceful country in South Asia. The government here is very
conscious in keeping the law and order system. People of Bangladesh never allowed any
insurgency or extremism or terrorism in this soil.
A) Bangladesh Arms Act, 1878
Bangladesh Government strictly restricts the use of fire arms, its export-import,
transportation, transit and transshipment. Even without a valid license nobody is allowed to
carry fire-arms and in some particular cases no one is allowed to carry any kinds of fire arms
with him. It also includesi)
Licensing Requirements:
All firearm owners require a license (renewable every year) to possess or acquire a firearm. The
Ministry of Home Affairs issues permission after proper verification of the applicant's request.
Based on this permission, the Deputy Commissioner issues the license. This license allows the
holder to purchase the gun that is categorized in the license.
ii)
Registration Requirements:
Once the gun is purchased, it must be registered and the identification number must be noted on
the license. License-holders may only purchase firearms from an arms dealer who is authorized
by the government.
iii)
Storage Requirements:
Firearms must be stored in a predetermined location, unloaded, with the ammunition stored
separately. On each license the storage location is specified. Firearms cannot be removed from
the assigned location without permission from the authorities. For handguns, the firearms must
be stored unloaded in a safe locker or box, with the ammunition stored separately.
iv)
Prohibited Firearms:
Fully automatic military assault weapons; semi-automatics which can be converted to
automatics, along with a few other selected models not suitable for hunting or target-shooting;
short-barreled handguns; sawed-off shotguns and large capacity magazines.
v)
Penalties:
For cases of minor violations of the law – for example, failure of timely renewal, pilferage of
cartridges, use of the gun for unacceptable reasons, allowing a non-license-holder to handle,
carry, or use the gun, changing the location of the gun without prior permission – there are
provisions for fines and/or short-term imprisonment (up to six months).16
v)
Manufacture:
According to the law, no person is allowed to manufacture, convert, sell, or expose for sale any
arms, ammunition or military stores, except under a license.
vi)
Import and Export:
Bangladesh imports firearms mainly for military, paramilitary and police forces. A limited
import of non-military firearms is made through the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB)
for license-holders. TCB imports mainly 9mm pistols and pump-action guns.17
B) In Bangladesh the Arms Act, 1837
General Rules for Possession of Fire Arms:
i) In Bangladesh, everyone has to get their license from the Deputy Commissioner or Home
Ministry of our country, to possess any kind of fire arms like Shotgun, Pistol, and Revolver
& Rifle.
ii) There is an age limit to possess fire Arms. For Shotgun it is 25 + and For Revolver / Pistol /
Rifle it is 30 +. That is, anybody whose age is below 25 cannot apply for a Shotgun License.
iii) Nobody can Possess Shotgun and Rifle at a time. Also, possession of Revolver and Pistol at a
time is not possible. That is, one can possess only Shotgun & Pistol, but not Shotgun and
Rifle at a time. That is either Shotgun or Rifle and either Revolver or Pistol.
iv) There is also restriction for the Calibre of Fire Arms. That is, one can possess up to .22, .25
(6.75 mm) and .32 (7.65 mm) Calibre Pistol/ Revolver. So, one cannot use 9 mm Calibre
Pistol or Revolver.18
C) There is Another Law in Place:
The Explosive Substances Act of 1908 is deems to include any material for making an explosive
substance and also the apparatus, machines or any part thereof which may be used for causing or
16
http://www.ryerson.ca/SAFER-Net/regions/Asia/Ban_JY04.html
https://www.unodc.org/tldb/pdf/Bangladesh_Arms_Act_1878_Full_text.pdf
18
http://www.ahossainarmsco.com/rules.htm
17
aiding in causing any explosion. Causing explosion by any explosive substance likely to
endanger life, injury to person or property or with intent to commit an offence or to enable any
other person to commit an offence are punishable under this Act with death, imprisonment for
life or imprisonment of any other term with a minimum mandatory sentence of 2 to 5 years.19
7.2 Implications of These Policies in Bangladesh:
Standard safety verifications are very important to ensure so that the individual can not pose a
threat to public safety. If someone with a license becomes violent or commits a crime, he or she
becomes ineligible to own firearms and the Deputy Commissioner or authorities in the Ministry
of Home Affairs will revoke the license. A judicial court can also revoke a license if the licensee
is found as a threat to public safety. A license can also be cancelled and the arm(s) seized in the
case of a failure to renew in the absence of a valid reason.
Most of the arms manufacturing factories in Bangladesh are floating units, where machinery is
easy to set up and dismantle in a short period of time. A license is required for any importation or
exportation of arms, ammunition and military stores. Offences such as the manufacture,
conversion, sale, transportation, possession, import and export of arms, ammunition or military
stores is punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with a fine,
or with both. Any person who conceals or attempts to conceal arms, ammunition or military
stores is punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years, or with a fine,
or with both. However, if an offence has been committed in respect of a pistol, revolver, rifle or
shot gun, the offender may be punished with imprisonment for life or for a term which may
extend to fourteen years, or with a fine.20 A High Court Division Bench in November 2001
directed the government to amend the Arms Act to bring those weapons within the category of
arms.21
19
Kabir, Ekram, Amend Arms Act First, Strtegic Issues, The Daily Star, January 22, 2011
http://www.bdsdf.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=4399
21
Ibid (Kabir, Ekram, Amend Arms Act First, Strategic Issues, The Daily Star, January 22, 2011)
20
8. Testing the Conventional Wisdom:
During our entire research almost everywhere we found that illegal arms proliferation is still a
burning question for our internal security and our country is day by day turning into a transit
route of these illegal arms. But our conventional wisdom do not support this. So in this section
we are going to verify of our conventional wisdom.
In our primary and secondary research we found that there are many illegal arms factory in
different of place of Bangladesh. But when we did an interview of Mohammad Sohail,
Commander of RAB, said that “there is no access of our land to produce illegal arms and move
it to other countries.” He also included that “the present Government is very conscious about the
control of illegal arms and they have taken many policies to reduce it.” He also added that
“Bangladeshi people are very peace loving and they help the government and police to grab
these illegal arms but some bad people are involved in these jobs because of their self interest.”
On the other hand when we did interview Mrs. Neila Hossain, an expert of illegal arms issue,
she said that “different countries have their demand for these illegal supply and trade because it
is very profitable.” According to her in this regard Bangladesh has a demand on transshipment of
these illegal arms like the other countries that are included in this business.
But according to Mohammad Sohail, Bangladesh is not responsible for this but some greedy
and bad people are causing this. He also added that the laws and other rules of Bangladesh are
very strict and effective that this illegal transshipment is not possible. But again he said that
“though the entire border cannot be sealed so some illegal transfer is must.”
From our review of the Daily Newspaper Prothom Alo from 2008 to 2011, we have found a poor
amount of data about the total number of collected illegal weapons but the actual number of
these weapons that we got from the RAB website is far more than that. So we came to an
observation that media does not always provide the correct scenario of any issue. To stop this
illegal arms trade and save our country from a treat to internal security we have found many
recommendations that includes that the government can review the policies and awareness of the
civilian can also decrease it.
But Mrs. Neila Hossain recommends that “it is impossible without the regional cooperation.
The countries that involve in this business they should come forward to reduce it by using their
intelligence, police, law enforcements etc. Internal cooperation among the police, RAB, BGB,
army and civilian is also very important.” She also informed us that Bangladesh is already
cooperating with the intelligence of Interpol.
In our research we find these illegal arms as a fear of insecurity among the people of our country
that causes many socio-economic problems. But Mohammad Sohail, said that “people of our
country are now free to move from one place to another without any kind of fear of the arms
holders.” He also added that “the arms holders and traders are now aware of the present
government policies and also afraid of the RAB and other law enforcements of our country.” In
our research we observe that the ordinary people of our country have less awareness about the
illegal arms trading and its access. But Mohammad Sohail, provided us with the information
that people of our country are now much aware about the socio-economic effects of the existing
illegal arms and they have been always providing help to the law enforcements.
In our research we came to know from Neila Hossain that the total percentage of the illegal arms
of our country is not accurately described but Mohammad Sohail, said that they have all the list
of legal and illegal arms of our country. So we can see that there are almost different notion
about the illegal arms and its trading among different individuals. No authentic data is exists
about this issue because of many existing loopholes in every section of our country.
9. Testing the Alternative Explanations:
As we have been observing through our research that Bangladesh is now internally threatened by
the easy access of the illegal arms and it is now becoming a transit route of illegal arms trading
in different countries. So in this section we tried to test the purification of our alternative
explanation.
We have found in our research that different individuals have different view about this issue. So
it throws us to a puzzle to get our central research findings. But most of the sources indicate that
it is a great threat to our internal security and we can easily see the effects caused by these illegal
arms in our daily to daily life.
We also found that the border security of our country is not so effective. At the same time
poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, uneducated etc. influence the border guards to involve in this
type of illegal trading. So only the laws and awareness cannot reduce this problem in fact this is
such a problem that cannot be reduced totally.
The changing hands should also be controlled. The person who finance all these trade their
business methods should be strictly controlled. Illegal arms reduction is very difficult but not
impossible. Governments can ‘buyback’ the illegal arms from the illegal traders and use it for
legal purposes.
A transparent society and mechanism to arrest the criminals is very important. Justice should be
ensured for the victims also. As explosive trafficking is a less concerned issue in our country
than human trafficking and others we need to be more informed about this.
So considering all the alternatives we along with the Government of Bangladesh and the
International organization should work together to solve this problem and ensure a secure
country from being a transit route of illegal arms trading and save the pride of our dear
motherland.
10. Our Central Research Findings:
Through interviews and paper surveys we have some findings to remark. Those are given below:
Firstly, we would like to highlight the fluctuation of numbers of cases published in newspaper
from 2008 to 2011. During the regime of Caretaker Govt. in 2008 the grabbing of illegal arms
increased to 128 cases which had been fallen to 55 cases in the next year. This indicates two
aspects of causes:
Whether present Govt. is not active enough to curb proliferation of illegal arms or the
proliferation has been reduced itself.
Secondly, by collecting data we have found, those criminals are arrested, 80% of them are 18-35
aged people. The cause of this is unemployment. In our culture, these aged people are major
person of income for their family. Small arms business is very profitable, for that reason, young
involvement with this business has been increasing day by bay. They want to be rich overnight.
Thirdly, through this research we have realized that only newspaper based data collection is not
enough to pursue investigation. Because of biasness and less information, the daily newspapers
publish lesser events. By searching newspaper we have found 128 cases in 2008. But in a police
database we have got 1529 cases.
Fourthly, according to Bangladesh Police data base, there has been a flow of downward
grabbing illegal arms. In 2001there are 3151 cases and 2010 there are 1575 cases of arms act. In
2001 there are 746 cases and 2010 there are 253 cases of explosion acts.22 Also RAB has a huge
amount of illegal arms grabbing cases. By this data we have seen there is big downward from
2001 to 2010.
Fifthly, according to Neila Hossain, there are 15 types of users in Bangladesh. They are political
leaders, students, politically patronized group, professional killer, insurgent group, Islamic
militant group, leftists, extremists, businessmen, fishermen, men involve in land dispute,
Hijackers, Robbers etc.
Sixthly, rising of illegal arms and crimes are not proportionate. As we see the reduction of illegal
arms in newspaper is noticeable, it also should reduce the crimes simultaneously. But, the real
scenario does not resemble to the theory. Here, the number of crimes specially killing is being
gradually acute here.
Seventhly, according to Neila Hossain, there are 1000 illegal arms factories in different places
such as Kushtia, Khulna, Moheshkhali, Chadpur, Cox’s Bazar, Bogura, Feni and in some of
areas in Dhaka. But according to Mohammad Sohail, Commander of RAB, there are no illegal
22
Www. police. govt. bd.
arms factories in Bangladesh. Those are almost abolished. Difference of their position repeats the
dissimilarity between policy makers and academia.
Eighthly, as there is least research on illegal arms proliferation in Bangladesh, it makes us find
out the basic cause. Bangladesh is peace loving country and we have a declaratory posture of
‘Friendship to all and enemy to none’. There is no civil war, separatist party in our country. So,
there are less people who find it less interesting to research. As a result, there are lesser donors to
pursue investigation which generate lesser research on illegal arms proliferation.
Ninthly, There is rising Govt. awareness about this issue day by day. Govt. is much more
concerned about this issue. But criminals are also concerned about Govt. activities which make
them concealed more efficiently. So, we cannot be assured the abolition of miscreants.
Tenthly, we don’t know about the end result of arrested and grabbed arms. These portions are
also in darkroom to the general people. For knowing these information people have to contact
with RAB or Police for this regard. But they cannot get information without reference.
Finally, now-a-days genius students are not only using these arms, but also they involve with
generating this arms. Using raw materials of chemistry lab, they can easily produce devastating
explosion. Using detergent or any chemicals which have been found easily, these genius students
can make easily vicious objects.
These are our central research findings still today. By working out these puzzles we will attempt
to generate a better outcome. Now two different table are given below that will show the
difference between the newspaper review and the actual scenario of the quantity of the illegal
arms that are recovered.
Review of Four Years on Grabbed Arms in Bangladesh
(Based on a Daily Newspaper; Prothom Alo)
Table: 1
Year
Number
of Cases
Location
Grabbed
Arms
2008
128
Dhaka
Chittagong
Camilla
Others
Revolvers
Pistols
Bombs
(Time
bomb,
Grenades
Cocktail,
live bombs)
21.9%
12.5%
3.13%
62.47%
9.66%
4.01%
Fire-arms
Rifles (3
not 3 rifles,
G3 rifles)
Guns (LG
guns, Sub
machine
guns,
Shutter
guns, Shot
guns, pipe
guns)
Arresting
Agency
2009
55
2010
70
Dhaka
Chittagong
Others
41.66%
16.66%
41.66%
Dhaka
Sylhet
Others
38.57%
9.29%
52.14%
Revolvers
Pistols
2.63%
25.32%
Revolvers
Pistols
Guns
(Shutter
guns, Pipe
guns, Air
guns, LG
guns)
Bombs
(Grenades,
cocktail)
Others
(Fire-arms,
Cartridge,
Magazine,
Rifles)
6.44%
12.20%
13.22%
Bombs
(Time
bomb,
Cocktail,
Grenades)
5.92%
49.47%
Rifles
56.25%
2.38%
2011
84
Guns
(Shutter
guns, Shot
guns, LG
guns, Pipe
Guns)
3.63%
Dhaka
Gazipur
Khulna
Others
Revolvers
Pistols
34.52%
11.90%
10.71%
42.87%
2.78%
9.96%
20%
Bombs
(cocktail,
Grenades,
Dead
bombs)
34.86%
20.68%
Fire-arms
11.11%
40.68%
Rifles
5.36%
Guns (LG
guns,
Shutter
guns, Shot
guns, Pipe
guns)
12.33%
Others
(Magazine,
Fire-arms)
Others
8.92%
Bullets
RAB
3,054
17.97%
Police
82.82%
12.5%
Bullets
RAB
Police
3,317
63%
18.18%
Bullets
RAB
Police
14,250
40%
31.43%
DB
18.18%
Others
11.43%
Others
(Magazine,
Cartridge)
Bullets
RAB
Police
DB
Others
9.96%
25.97%
15,050
35.71%
44.05%
10.71%
9.52%
Number of Cases in Different Years on a Graph:
Number of Cases
140
120
100
80
Series 1
60
40
20
0
2008
2009
2010
Bar Chart: 1
2011
Recovered Weapons in October 2011 by RAB:
Table: 2
Serial No.
Description
Total Arms
1.
Revolver
2163
2.
Pistol
1388
3.
7 mm Rifle
01
4.
SLR
08
5.
One Shooter Gun
262
6.
Shot Gun
200
7.
.22 Bore Rifle
51
8.
LG/Pipe Gun/ Shutter Gun
3571
9.
Magazine
1068
10.
Bullets
313
11.
Cartridge
832
12.
Bombs
2430
13.
Grenades
235
14.
Cocktail
1989
15.
9 mm SMC/SMG
18
16.
AK47 SMG
60
Here the first table contains the number of illegal arms that we found through our newspaper
review and the second table contains the number of illegal arms that recovered by RAB. So
through these two tables we can see the difference that the actual scenario is far different than
our thought.
11. Is Bangladesh Turning to Smuggling Route of Illicit Illegal Small Arms
Trade?
South Asia is currently experiencing a crisis owing to the proliferation of small arms. 23 Although
Bangladesh is not suffering from militancy or insurgency like Pakistan and India, the transboundary challenges of small arms proliferation24 has affected the country to a great extent. The
traditional stereotypes in South Asia have been: India and Pakistan are both suppliers as well as
end-users of small arms; Sri Lanka is an end-user; Bangladesh and Nepal are transit routes. In
recent times, Bangladesh considered one of the main transit points for the trafficking the illegal
arms25 and the region is now turning into a large market of arms trade.26However, changes have
occurred in these patterns with Nepal and Bangladesh now joining the category of end-users.27
As Bangladesh is sandwiched between the Golden Triangle and the Golden Crescent, two of the
largest drug-producing regions in the world, and there are clear connections between the
trafficking in drugs and arms.28
Smuggling of arms began in this country since the 70s; the ultra-revolutionists of the communist
groups were procuring arms secretly. The information of the intelligence agencies is there are 48
points through which arms are smuggling into the country which we mentioned before.
Bangladesh's sea and land borders are used extensively for illegal trafficking of weapons that are
deported at the offshore of Cox's Bazaar and transported through different trawlers, boats, and
trucks to insurgency groups of the neighboring countries (e.g. weapons from islands of Thailand
are smuggled into the north-east of India that travels through Cox's Bazaar and the Chittagong
Hill Tracts.29 ). The advantages for such transshipments to take place in the first place are
many.30
23
Arputharaj W. James, Frontline, (2001) The Crisis in South Asia, www.flonnet.com/fl1818/18180610.htm
accessed at 10 a.m. in May 8, 2012
24
Ibid(www.flonnet.com/fl1818/18180610.htm)
25
www.bdsdf.org accessed on May 8, 2012
26
Staff Correspondent , Bangladesh turned into arms smuggling route Experts critical of govt's indifference, Front
Page, The Daily Star, vol 5, no.712, http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/05/30/d6053001107.htm
27
Ibid(www.flonnet.com/fl1818/18180610.htm)
28
Ibid(www.flonnet.com/fl1818/18180610.htm)
29
International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) report.
30
Husain, Naila,(2006), Impact of Small Arms and Light Weapons,The Daily Star, February 19,2006
http://www.thedailystar.net/suppliments/2006/15thanniv/bangladesh&theworld/bd_world27.htm Accessed on May
8, 2012
Map-3: External Smuggling Areas of Illegal Arms
From the beginning, smuggled arms entered into Bangladesh from China and Pakistan to the
Indian separatists and even for Rohingas in Myanmar ( Formar Burma). The smugglers are
selling these arms to the terrorist groups. Underworld sources said that heavy arms were sold to
the foreigners and in this case, Bangladesh was a safe transit route. The same sources said that
AK-47 was being sold at Tk 300,000, M-16 at 300,000, US pistol at Tk 100,000, 9 mm pistol at
Tk 150,000, Mouzer pistol Tk 150,000, US Taraus Tk 225,000, Italy's Petrobarota 145,000 lakh,
US revolver 100,000, Chinese rifle 100,000 and pistol are being sold at Tk 30,000. Fifty
godfathers are controlling the arms world, while politicians and industrialists give shelter to
them. Intelligence sources said of the 400 arms smugglers, 88 in Dhaka division, 34 in
Chittagong, 87 in Khulna, 70 in Rajshahi, 35 in Sylhet, 58 each in Barisal and Rangamati. 31
Recently an interesting technique of these traders has disclosed. Indian traders have built 52
phensidyle factories on their border. A list identifying these factories has been handed over to the
Indian authorities on behalf of Bangladesh. The phensidyle produced in the factories enters into
Bangladesh through the border. Arms are coming with phensidyle, recently. It was learnt that the
smugglers are using the consignment of phensidyle as the advanced consignment. Keeping the
31
Ibid(http://newsdawn.blogspot.com/2011/05/arms-trade-in-bangladesh.html)
police busy with the phensidyle consignment, they are bringing arms and heroin in other
consignments. The RAB seized some types of consignments recently. Smuggled arms are being
stocked in the 52 phensidyle factories side by side with producing the contraband syrup.32
For smuggling arms and narcotics, courier service and transports are being used for a long time.
There are allegations that courier service, transport owners, employees and members of the law
enforcement agencies are involved with the arms and narcotics traders. Some types of
consignments were recently seized. Identified arms and narcotics traders are using some
established courier services and transports for smuggling of arms and narcotics.33
According to an influential intelligence agency, illegal arms are being produced at some factories
inside the country. These arms are being produced at remote hills of Moheshkhali and deep
forests of Khagrachhari. He sources said arms are being produced at Karaibunia, Putirjhiri,
Saralia, Gulur Barghona, Kamlghona, Morakiri, Loharchaara, Murichhari and Shaplapur in
Moheshkhali hilly areas. To avoid risk of arrests in the day time, the makers are working to
produce arms at night. The environment of the factory is like almost a workshop or a shop of
blacksmith. There are iron blade, iron-cutting machines and gun handle-making machineries in
the factories.34
12. Recommendation:
Though controlling illegal arms is difficult, it is not impossible. In this section, from different
perspectives, we have tried to illustrate some possible recommendations.
i) Civil society awareness:
It is very necessary to became concern of civil society about small arms proliferation. Civil
society has important role in raising awareness among unconscious people. We also inform them
about our existing laws, regulations and the range of punishment of illegal small arms trading.
ii) Reduction of demand:
32
Ibid(http://newsdawn.blogspot.com/2011/05/arms-trade-in-bangladesh.html))
Ibid(http://newsdawn.blogspot.com/2011/05/arms-trade-in-bangladesh.html)
34
Ibid (http://newsdawn.blogspot.com/2011/05/arms-trade-in-bangladesh.html)
33
Increasing demand of illegal small arms should be resisted. We can do this through two ways.
A. Curbing from large scale: Myanmar, India, Bangladesh, China, Afghanistan all are involved
in this loop. Demand in these countries is the cause of illegal small arms proliferation. Reduction
of this should be ensured.
B. Curbing from small scale: Demand among peoples including unemployed, political parties,
businessman should be reduced. And there should be given alternative choice throw legal action,
increasing employment, social and religious value.
iii) Border management:
At first we have to identify why border management fail to curb this trafficking. Dwellers of
these regions also should be conscious and co-operative with Government. These people should
be provided with education, employment and fair justice.
iv) Discussion with retired BDR:
They are experienced as they have worked for a long time. They have to face many challenges
which should be addressed to resolve this problem. In this regard, policy makers should sit with
them for discussion and suggestion.
v) Addressing black market economy:
Black market economy is another cause for small arms proliferation. Which people are involved
with black market business have tendency to use illegal arms. Black market hampers our
economy through informal trading of illegal arms, drugs and other products. This should be
reduced by two ways.
A. Addressing law enforcement agency.
B. Identifying the groups of people involve in this.
vi) Internal capacity building:
Internal force to resolve this should be more powerful and effective. Here, RAB. Police, DGFI,
DGI are key actors to deal with this. So, capacity building of them should be get primacy in
government’s policy. Intellectual groups also should be accompanied with them. Intellectual can
help them suggesting how to sort out. Mechanism to capture users should be promoted.
vii) Making less profitable of Arms business:
The business of illegal arms can be made less profitable by government initiatives. Financiers,
god fathers can be kept in strict measure. Legal arms can be encouraged to accept by people
through making conscious about them.
viii) Promoting easy access to justice:
Justice should be provided to victims and this will discourage criminals to do so. Complicated
formalities to get licensed arms also discourage people. Illiterate people but need to keep this for
their security such as comparatively richer fishermen, farmers is another factor to be concern. So,
this should be considered by policy makers.
ix) Updating legislation:
Legislation should be updated, because of our existing laws are not enough to curb this
proliferation. Small arms definition is not clear to us whether they are small arms or not. Some
small arms such as ramda, knife, chapatti etc which are known as Bangle Arms are used to do
crime, injure or kill people. But these instruments are not considered as small arms which are
needed to be clarified.
x) Promoting regional co-operation:
Only internal consciousness, laws enforcement is not enough to curb this problem. To protect
this we need international co-operation. Bangladesh is not only victim, but also other countries
such as India, Pakistan, Myanmar; China etc are also victim of this. It needs to take initiatives
internationally. SAARC can take initiatives to curb this. We can get help from Interpol too. So,
this issue should be included in foreign policy of our country.
xi) Raw materials should be curbed:
Which raw materials are needed to make small arms should be imported with strict measure. It
should be ensured that our young generation or terrorist group can not get it easily. Young
generation should be refraining from this by awareness, commitment and knowledge.
xii) Continuation of News report:
News reports regarding our topic does not get much coverage. The consequences of cases do not
continue to publish. Even, much of cases are also not published in newspaper. As a result,
general people cannot be aware about its growing casualty. So, reports on TV and newspaper
should promote more importance regarding this.
xiii) Reformation of Illegal arms:
Seized arms and cottage in our country can also be used for positive purpose. These arms should
be in governmental observation. These can be reformed and used in our governmental
organization like police, RAB also. We can also export small arms to other countries repairing
and improving their qualities. Illegal small arms trade is considered as a profitable business. If
we use it as a legal business, can increase opportunity of employment and develop our economy.
Finally, discouraging crime from own position:
These illegal acts should be discouraged by everyone from their own position. In our country,
social bond is acute and it can help criminals to get back from their dark world.
Despite absolute control is not possible, but it can help to decrease the gradual intensity of illegal
small arms proliferation. So, we need to be conscious about this.
13. Concluding Remarks:
Through this paper and with the help our honorable teacher we have learned some basic issues
to pursue a research paper. In our paper we have tried to illustrate the existing illegal arms in
Bangladesh, possible roots of this, present reality, causes of illegal arms proliferation, theoretical
and policy implications, existing policies, implications of the policies in Bangladesh. Our central
research finding is there have been many illegal arms in our country. There are about1000
illegal arms factories in different places such as Kushtia, Khulna, Moheshkhali, Chadpur, Cox’s
Bazar, Bogura, Feni and in some areas of Dhaka. About15 types of users are in Bangladesh.
They are political leaders, students, politically patronized group, professional killer, insurgent
group, Islamic militant group, leftists, extremists, businessmen, fishermen, men involve in land
dispute, Hijackers, Robbers etc. Those criminals are arrested, 80% of them are 18-35 aged
people. The cause of unemployment and the greediness to be rich overnight lead them go in
illegal way. Theoretical and policy implication about this issue is very weak in our country. We
need to raise Govt. awareness about this illegal arms proliferation day by day. Govt. is much
more concerned about this today. Updating legislation should be adopted by Government.
Victims’ easy access to justice should be promoted. Finally promoting regional co-operation
should be highlighted. This issue can be included in foreign policy of our country. We want to
enrich this research with more convenient data. In Bangladesh this significant issue is still
remaining as unimportant. We need to publish more news about this topic that will help the
people to be conscious about it. We should try to overcome the problems that we faced during
our research and we also want to develop our research and find scope to interview the victims
and the criminals who are related with the illegal business.
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Appendix