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Professional terrorists and criminal gangs now possess advanced walkie-talkies with three to four times the power of those held by law enforcement agencies. Consequently, discussions held in police stations are easily intercepted by these groups. There are reports of a gang exploiting Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, using fake addresses to import devices without permission from law enforcement and the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC). These illicitly imported sets ultimately fall into the hands of organised crime gangs. Simultaneously, they are being utilised through illegally imported radio transformers.
Security analyst Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain cautioned that the import of sensitive technologies like mobile tracking devices and walkie-talkies at the private level poses significant risks. He emphasised that if such technology falls into the hands of terrorists and criminals, it could pose a grave threat to the country and its people. This concern arises because police officers often communicate vital instructions through walkie-talkies, and if terrorists gain access to this information, it could amplify the threat. Hussain advises law enforcement agencies to exercise greater caution in this regard.
Law enforcement agencies, particularly the police and RAB, have been involved in instances of fake arrests and seizures, including those related to fake police and RAB operations.
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has stringent guidelines regarding the importation of walkie-talkies. Instructions also outline severe penalties for importing these devices without BTRC's permission. In late last year, there was an embarrassing incident involving leaked police directives related to walkie-talkies. Consequently, the police issued a notice advising caution in the use of walkie-talkies.
Recently, the preventive team of the Custom House at Shahjalal International Airport confiscated approximately 1000 walkie-talkies across 17 consignments. No individual has come forward to claim ownership of these seized devices. Moreover, the addresses associated with the shipments are found to be falsified.
Concerned parties suspect that a clandestine network is behind the importation of these devices. They speculate that these sets may be intended for tracking the locations of law enforcement personnel and criminal elements alike, masquerading under the guise of law enforcement entities. Additionally, authorities are unable to ascertain how many such devices have already been distributed before interception.
It has been verified that such sets have indeed been imported and distributed under false information.
Sources reveal that criminal activities are being orchestrated across the country, including the capital, under the guise of law enforcement agencies. Many of these criminals are apprehended during police and RAB operations, often found in possession of walkie-talkie sets resembling those used by law enforcement. It is suspected that an organised group operating at the airport is facilitating the importation of these sets with the assistance of certain officials, subsequently delivering them to criminal elements.
It's observed that criminals, particularly during robberies, are frequently seen wielding walkie-talkie sets, often masquerading as law enforcement personnel. This easily leads the common populace to assume their affiliation with the law and order authorities. While ordinary walkie-talkies are readily available for purchase, the seized sets are of high capacity, providing them with extensive range.
Police officials acknowledge that although there are regulations governing the use of walkie-talkies, enforcement is lacking. Consequently, anyone who desires can acquire a walkie-talkie, ranging from bus company employees to members of private security agencies, as well as identified criminals, robbers, and even terrorists. This situation has created confusion among the general public, as distinguishing between genuine law enforcement officials and criminal elements has become increasingly challenging. Professional criminals exploit the respect, weakness, or fear that people harbor towards law enforcement, further complicating matters.
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Control Act stipulates that the Police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Coast Guard, Defense Forces, and, subject to specific conditions, the Ansar and Village Defense Forces are authorised to install and utilise wireless equipment, including walkie-talkies. Additionally, any other security forces designated by the government can also employ walkie-talkies. Importation and usage are further regulated, requiring permission from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).
In this context, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Joint Commissioner Biplab Kumar Sarkar emphasised that importing such devices without prior government permission constitutes a punishable offense. He noted that several raids have been conducted resulting in seizures, with radio transformers also being recovered.
In response to a query, he stated, "We are certainly vigilant about this matter."
Messenger/Sajib
