Displaying firearms at Pabna PWD office: 2 contractors surrender shotguns

Two contractors, who openly displayed firearms at the office of Public Works Department (PWD) in Pabna, have surrendered their licenced shotguns to the local police station.

AR Khan Mamun, organising secretary of Pabna Municipality unit AL, and Sheikh Lalu, a Jubo League leader, surrendered their firearms at Pabna Sadar Police Station this morning, Additional Superintendent of Police in Pabna, Masud Alam, confirmed it. 

Two general diaries (GDs) have been filed with the police station in this regard, he said.

Although the firearms have licences, no one can display those to create panic among people, the police official said. 

Superintendent of Police Mohibul Haque said police are investigating whether the contractors violated the firearms act. Legal action will be taken after investigation, the SP said.

The contractors are reportedly involved in local Awami League units and associate bodies, reports our Pabna correspondent.

Journalists came across screen grabs from the CCTV footage of the PWD office six days after the incident happened on June 6.

The CCTV footage shows a group of 25 to 30 people led by Haji Faruk, science and technology affairs secretary of Pabna Sadar upazila unit of AL, AR Khan Mamun and Sheikh Lalu went to Pabna PWD office while some of them were carrying firearms openly.

Contacted, Md Anwarul Azim, executive engineer of PWD, said, "I was not at office when the incident happened. But CCTV footage shows many of them were carrying firearms. They did not threaten me over phone or directly. I had no conversation with them. So, I did not lodge any written complaint."

Criticising the contractors for displaying firearms, acting President of Pabna district Awami League, Rezaul Rahim Lal, told The Daily Star that his party never supports this kind of activities.

Talking to our correspondent, Haji Faruk yesterday said they did it mistakenly.

"This is licensed firearm... carrying it for the sake of security. We went to the PWD office while going to another place. There were no bad intentions," Faruk said.