Editorial
Another haul of illegal arms
Where are the smugglers?
We commend Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) for their repeated, successful efforts in unearthing criminals' hide-outs and huge arms cache in the hill districts. In fact, the recent frequent raids in the camps bordering Myanmar only show that BDR is high on alert in thwarting any attempt to either smuggle those arms into the country or use that in any criminal acts. What's been even more alarming is the kind of modern arms and ammunitions that are being recovered from these camps. It's obvious that these are the works of seasoned arms dealers.It cannot be ignored that insurgency along the borders encourages arms smuggling through there. There is no denying that it is part of the whole process of arms trafficking. Therefore we think that the constant surveillance along the borders should be continued with full vigour. At the same time, intelligence activities as well as raids must continue with equal force. But what has worried us is the failure to catch any of the perpetrators of this illegal process. So far, BDR and other law enforcing agencies have shown their bravery and efficiency to recover such huge qualities of illegal arms and ammunitions and they deserve all the credit for that. But failing to nab the real culprits during the raids or afterwards has only increased the vulnerability of violence in and around the country. Whether the arms and ammunitions are being brought in to be used internally or smuggled onto another country can only be known if and when the culprits are caught and interrogated. The government must understand that illegal arms trade has country-wide repercussions. Unless it takes more effective measures to catch the smugglers, it's likely that we will continue to feel unsafe.
|
|
