SMG T-56, sniper rifles, and other modern automatic weapons looted from the police—1,369 of these firearms have still not been recovered. Police believe that a large portion of these weapons have ended up in the hands of criminals. At the same time, despite police instructions, at least 6,204 personally licensed firearms, including Uzi guns, have not been submitted to police stations yet. These are now considered illegal by the police. Efforts are ongoing to recover these weapons. In such a situation, many police officers are worried about the instruction to hand in their lethal weapons and instead carry sticks or shotguns while on duty. According to many involved, this situation is not only weakening police morale but also raising concerns about personal safety. Experts suggest that instead of taking lethal weapons away from the police, the authorities should enforce strict regulations on how those weapons are used.

Just two days after the decision to disarm police officers was made public, the Special Security and Protection Battalion-2 (SPBn-2) issued a new directive (GIG, SPBn new office guard duty). In it, ASI-ranked officers were instructed to stay alert while on duty with only sticks as their weapons. The same directive was given to constables. Previously, officers used to carry firearms while performing such duties. The order to hand in firearms and perform duty with sticks has sparked much discussion within the force and on social media. Many police officers now feel that this decision is affecting their morale and raising fears about their safety. Some have expressed concern about being sent on special operations to catch criminals without lethal weapons.

According to police data, since August 5 last year, 5,753 police firearms and 651,826 rounds of ammunition have been looted. Among these, 1,369 weapons and 251,826 rounds of ammunition are still missing. The missing weapons include 296 Chinese rifles, eight BD rifles, 60 Chinese SMGs, 11 LMGs, 54 Chinese pistols, 653 9-bore pistols, one SMG, 653 twelve-bore shotguns, 117 single-barrelled gas guns, five 38 mm tear gas launchers, and two signal pistols. Even after Sheikh Hasina fled, 32 high-tech automatic weapons from the SSF went missing from the Ganabhaban. These include SMG T-56s, advanced assault rifles, sniper rifles, flashbang grenades, anti-drone guns, anti-drone systems, and radio communication devices.

Enamul Haque Sagar, AIG (Media) of the Police Headquarters, told Bonik Barta, "On and after August 5, a total of 5,753 various types of police weapons were looted. Later, through special operations, 4,384 weapons were recovered. Still, 1,369 weapons remain missing. Operations to recover them are ongoing."

Many police officers say that criminals are now more reckless than ever, and they are armed with various types of advanced weapons. There have even been attacks when checking the documents of a simple motorcycle. In such a situation, going on special operations to catch marked criminals without weapons poses a personal safety risk, they say. They believe that the decision to surrender lethal weapons, while the police are trying to regain their strength, will further weaken their morale. This decision will increase risks for both personal safety and job responsibilities. They also say that police weapons are meant for self-defense and controlling criminals. The law defines how weapons should be used, so there is no scope for using them unlawfully. If someone gives an illegal order and someone else carries it out, both can be held accountable under the law. Many relevant people say that if the government's decision is implemented, police morale will decline. As a result, officers might avoid taking risks and become less active in maintaining law and order. If that happens, unrest in society will increase.

ASM Nasir Uddin, human rights activist and police reform commission member, told Bonik Barta, "Police should be friends of the people. Possession of battlefield weapons by the police is a severe violation of human rights. There are several steps to follow when handling a mob or political unrest. The police must follow those steps in their actions. Just like the previous government used police to fire on innocent people, such misuse must never happen again. And it's difficult for a partisan government to decide."

Although there is criticism within the police force regarding the disarmament decision, no one wants to speak publicly. On condition of anonymity, a Sub-Inspector (SI)-ranked officer said, "Most police officers are against this decision. If police don't have weapons, are they supposed to go on duty with sticks? Even now, people don't respect the police despite them having weapons—what will happen if weapons are taken away? Weapons are for self-defense and controlling criminals. There are clear rules about how they should be used. So, there is no opportunity to misuse weapons. They will face justice if anyone misuses them or gives such an order. Taking away weapons will lower morale. Many may lose interest in taking risks to maintain law and order."

An officer of Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) rank, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, "Police also have a right to self-defense. Their lives are at risk when arresting dangerous criminals. At such a time, this decision is very concerning. Police need to carry weapons. If the police themselves don't have weapons, how will they arrest armed criminals? And what will they do if they need to defend themselves during an operation?"

Nur Mohammad, former inspector general of police (IGP), told Bonik Barta, "The police have been using weapons like LMGs and SMGs for a long time. Around 2005, there were frequent gunfights between police and extremists in the Rajshahi and Khulna regions. There were also gunfights with militant groups. Even now, criminals possess heavy weapons. In the past, the police were used politically and had to fire at any time. This has created a kind of 'trigger happiness' within the force. In such a situation, it will be a serious challenge for the police to face armed terrorists with just shotguns. However, since the government has made this decision, it has done so after much consideration. There must be some alternative approach included in their plan."

Baharul Alam, inspector general of police (IGP), said that the decision taken by the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding police weapons was made with full understanding. He spoke to journalists yesterday at the Police Staff College field in Mirpur. The IGP said, "We will avoid weapons that cause certain death, those that fire bullets. However, we will make the final decision after discussing with everyone. In principle, we believe police cannot be a killer force. At most, I will carry a shotgun—this is the general expectation. However, it is very difficult to follow these rules in places with higher risk or a chance of revolt. In such cases, the matter will be reconsidered."