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 2. Research Methodology 3. Existing Illegal Arms in Bangladesh 4. Possible Routes of illegal Arms are in Bangladesh 5. Present reality of Bangladesh 6. Causes of Illegal Arms Access in Bangladesh 7. Theoretical and Policy Implications 7.1 Existing Policies 7.2 Implications of these Policies in Bangladesh 8. Testing conventional Wisdom 9. Testing Alternative Explanations 10. Our Central Research Findings 11. Is Bangladesh Turning to a Transit Route of Illicit Illegal Small Arms Trade? 12. Recommendation 13.Concluding Remarks 14. Bibliography 15. Appendix 23-25 26 27-29 30 12-14 14-15 15-20 20-23 9-12 6-8 8-9 Page No. 1 1-2 3 3-5

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 Prothom Alo Duration 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 RAB director Shohial Bangladesh Representative of Safer-World Neila Hossain Date 20.02.2012 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.

19.02.2012

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. . Bangladeshs 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.

Shamsi, A Nayyer, Arms Trade in Bangladesh, http://newsdawn.blogspot.com/2011/05/arms-trade-in-bangladesh.html)

2

May

27,

2011.

(available

on

Hussain, Akmal Geopolitics and Bangladesh Foreign PolicyCLIO,VOL.vii1989. page 97.

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:

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: Bangladeshs 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 5

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.

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

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 civilians 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 17

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

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 20

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)

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, Coxs 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 dont 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 2008 128 Dhaka Chittagong Camilla Others Revolvers Pistols Bombs (Time bomb, Grenades Cocktail, live bombs) Fire-arms 21.9% 12.5% 3.13% 62.47% 9.66% 4.01% 2009 55 Dhaka Chittagong Others Revolvers Pistols Bombs (Time bomb, Cocktail, Grenades) Rifles Guns (Shutter guns, Shot guns, LG guns, Pipe Guns) 41.66% 16.66% 41.66% 2.63% 25.32% 2010 70 Dhaka Sylhet Others Revolvers Pistols Guns (Shutter guns, Pipe guns, Air guns, LG guns) Bombs (Grenades, cocktail) Others (Fire-arms, Cartridge, Magazine, Rifles) 38.57% 9.29% 52.14% 6.44% 12.20% 2011 84 Dhaka Gazipur Khulna Others Revolvers Pistols Bombs (cocktail, Grenades, Dead bombs) Fire-arms 34.52% 11.90% 10.71% 42.87% 2.78% 9.96%

13.22%

5.92%

20%

34.86%

49.47%

56.25%

20.68%

11.11%

Grabbed Arms

Rifles (3 not 3 rifles, G3 rifles)

2.38%

3.63%

40.68%

Rifles

5.36%

Guns (LG guns, Sub machine guns, Shutter guns, Shot guns, pipe guns) Others Bullets RAB Arresting Agency Police

12.33% Others (Magazine, Fire-arms) 12.5%

Guns (LG guns, Shutter guns, Shot guns, Pipe guns) Others (Magazine, Cartridge) Bullets RAB Police DB Others

9.96%

8.92% 3,054 17.97% 82.82% DB 18.18% Others 11.43% Bullets RAB Police 3,317 63% 18.18% Bullets RAB Police 14,250 40% 31.43%

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 60 40 20 0 2008 2009 2010 2011 Series 1

Bar Chart: 1

Recovered Weapons in October 2011 by RAB: Table: 2

Serial No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. Description Revolver Pistol 7 mm Rifle SLR One Shooter Gun Shot Gun .22 Bore Rifle LG/Pipe Gun/ Shutter Gun Magazine Bullets Cartridge Bombs Grenades Cocktail 9 mm SMC/SMG AK47 SMG Total Arms 2163 1388 01 08 262 200 51 3571 1068 313 832 2430 235 1989 18 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 33

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)

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 governments 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, Coxs 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