Cox’s Bazar, Nov 23 – A total of 96 robbers and arms traders laid down their arms on Saturday in Maheshkhali Upazila aiming to return to normal life. They also handed over 155 local and foreign firearms and 284 bullets while surrendering before Home Minister Asaduzzman Khan at Kalarmarchhara union Parishad ground at noon.
The minister initially distributed Tk 50,000 among those turned up each for their rehabilitation and another amount of Tk 50,000 will be given to them later each.
Speaking on the occasion, Asaduzzaman said the government is taking measures to rehabilitate robbers who surrender, warning that if anyone returns to their old profession, he will have to face dire consequences.
He also assured that those who were not involved in rape and murder incidents will be considered with sympathy.
The country will be free of robbers, terrorism, drugs and corruption and stern action will be taken against those who will get involved with such crimes, the minister said.
A total of 12 robber gangs, including ‘Khausarbar Group’, ‘Kalabor Group’ and ‘Ayub Bahini’ and firearms traders surrendered at the programme.
MM Akram Hossain, a private TV channel journalist, mediated the surrender.
ABM Masud Hossain, superintendent of Cox’s Bazar police, said a total of 198 terrorists, drug peddlers and arms traders were killed in gunfights since May 17, 2018, due to the zero-tolerance and special rives launched by law enforcers.
Issuing a note of warning to robbers who are yet to surrender, he urged them to return to the right path and said their consequences will be dire if they do not respond to the call. – UNB
