Benapole used as transit for gunrunners

Huge firearms are being smuggled from India into Bangladesh through different frontier points of Benapole, with gunrunners’ syndicates active on both sides to negotiate any deal instantly.    These illegally brought weapons after reaching Benapole through different border points are supplied to different parts of the country, including Dhaka, says a UNB report from Benapole in Jessore.   Although members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and law enforcers sometimes arrest people carrying smuggled firearms, the main culprits remain out of their dragnet.   According to Anandabazar Patrika, the leading Bengali newspaper published from Kolkata of India, Delhi police unearthed firearm factories in Bihar, Munger and Kolkata.   They arrested four people including one Sheikh Rustom Ali along with illegal firearms on May 24.   After interrogation, police came to know that Sarfaraj, a resident of Bakra Kha in Kolkata, was involved in the arms trading. Meanwhile, a team of Delhi police arrested three people including Sahida Bibi along with a number of 9mm pistols, two sacks of arms making tools, huge bullets and five LED machines.   As the 9mm pistol is easy to carry, it is mostly smuggled into Bangladesh by the syndicate.   The professional terrorists prefer to use these also because of its comparatively cheaper price than other firearms.   Besides, BGB members recovered huge firearms, mostly 9mm pistols, from the bordering areas of Jessore and Benapole in May.   RAB, police and BGB sources said BGB recovered two US made 9mm pistols, four rounds of bullet and four magazines from Khalshi area on Putkhali border on April 18.   On May 11, a team of Rapid Action Battalion arrested Momin and Shahidul along with one 9mm pistol from Kutipara in Chougachha upazila while Osman Kha with one pistol from Sharsha upazila of Jessore.   On the other hand, BGB members from Putkhali camp recovered one 9mm pistol, one shutter gun and three 303 rifles from Chhoto Achra on May 11.   Besides, on May 29, RAB-6 of Jessore camp arrested Hiru Mollah, son of Razzak of Boro Achra village, in possession of one 9mm pistol and one round of bullet from Old Kasba Lechu Bagan area.   Meanwhile, a team of the Detective Branch of police arrested Kamrul Islam, son of Nabab Ali of Nilganj Saha Para, along with one 9mm pistol, three rounds of bullet and one magazine from Bhaina village on June 2.   Such large recoveries of smuggled firearms in a span of short time, has created a tense situation in Jessore district and Benapole port.