Shooting Federation’s Bullets Fired at Student Protesters

Panchayat Habib and Imran Mahmud

Anger is growing over the appointment of individuals accused of involvement in the illegal use of bullets from the National Shooting Federation during the July movement, while an investigation into the matter is still underway. Allegations have surfaced that the federation’s General Secretary Sakif Shamim is appointing the accused to various sub-committees through secret understandings.

Several members of the ad hoc committee have claimed that such actions are being taken without involving the executive committee. They said only one executive committee meeting has been held since the ad hoc committee was formed on July 18. Since then, the general secretary has been making one controversial decision after another.

In particular, anger is growing over the appointment of individuals accused of illegally supplying bullets to suppress the July movement. Investigations are ongoing against several clubs following specific allegations. There is strong resentment over the appointment of those accused to various sub-committees.

It may be mentioned that several clubs, including Patuakhali Rifle Club, Capital Shooting Club and Chattogram Rifle Club, have been accused of illegally using their bullets during indiscriminate firing on students to suppress the July movement. The National Sports Council (NSC) formed an investigation committee on September 3. The committee has been asked to submit its report within 15 working days.

As part of the investigation, the committee, led by NSC Director (Administration) Titon Khisa, sought records of bullets drawn since 2020 from nine rifle and shooting clubs. Four clubs submitted their records within the stipulated seven days, while five have yet to do so. The clubs are Pirojpur Rifle Club, Capital Shooting Club, Narayanganj Rifle Club, Chattogram Rifle Club and Sirajganj Rifle Club.

An ad hoc committee member of the Shooting Federation, speaking on condition of anonymity, said there are specific allegations against Golam Mostofa Mintu of Pirojpur Rifle Club, Mir Daulat Hossain of Capital Shooting Club and Abdul Malek of Chattogram Rifle Club over illegal buying and selling of ammunition and involvement in corruption.

Despite this, they have been included in important sub-committees of the federation.
Golam Mostofa Mintu of Pirojpur Rifle Club has been included in the Publicity and Publications Sub-Committee and the Auditorium, Food and Accommodation Sub-Committee. Mir Daulat Hossain of Capital Shooting Club has been included in the Import and Allocation Sub-Committee and the Finance and Audit Sub-Committee.

Abdul Malek of Chattogram Rifle Club has been included in the Publicity and Publications Sub-Committee. The general secretary has allegedly rehabilitated these controversial individuals through his sole authority. Even before the allegations against those linked to the mass uprising were properly examined, he allocated bullets to Capital Shooting Club again.

He also allocated bullets in the names of clubs that have no shooters, for reasons that remain unclear. Breaking with established practice, he himself became the convener of the Import and Allocation Sub-Committee and the Administration and Discipline Sub-Committee.

International gold medal-winning shooter and Joint General Secretary of the National Shooting Federation Sharmin Akter Ratna said, “It does not look appropriate at all to keep the accused in any committee while the investigation is ongoing. It could influence the investigation. Questions may also arise about whether the investigation is fair and impartial. Therefore, those against whom allegations have been made should not be given a place in any committee.”

Shooting club sources said the first investigation into the illegal use of club bullets during the July movement began during the interim government. When nine clubs were asked to submit records of bullets, only four submitted them.

Golam Mostofa Montu of Pirojpur Rifle Club allegedly withdrew 11,035 cartridges for 12-bore guns, 26,000 .22-bore (5.50 air pellet) rounds, 9,900 .22-bore cartridges, 115,000 .177 air pellets and ammunition for three air rifles (Model 634), but these were not recorded in the club’s documents. Questions have also been raised over the ammunition withdrawn by Mir Daulat Hossain of Capital Shooting Club.

He allegedly withdrew 29,090 cartridges for 12-bore guns, 51,500 .22-bore (5.50 air pellet) rounds, 23,850 .22-bore cartridges, 298,500 .177 air pellets, 20 7mm cartridges, 240 .32-bore cartridges and ammunition for eight air rifles (Model 634).

According to the federation’s allocation letter, the presence of the concerned club president is mandatory when collecting weapons and bullets. In the case of district-level clubs, authorisation from the deputy commissioner is also required.

However, these rules were not followed in the case of the accused clubs. As a result, a large quantity of bullets allegedly fell into the hands of criminals. Former Shooting Federation Manager Debashish Ghosh has also been accused of being involved in the matter. Debashish Ghosh was the manager of Intekhabul Hamid Apu, brother of fugitive former State Minister for Power Nasrul Hamid Bipu.

There are also allegations that efforts are being made to rehabilitate him. Even after the new committee was announced, Debashish has been regularly seen visiting the Shooting Federation.

When the general secretary expressed his intention to appoint him as manager, many committee members reacted negatively. There are allegations that efforts are being made to rehabilitate and empower a known syndicate of dishonest individuals and beneficiaries from the previous fascist regime.

The general secretary has allegedly started a process of taking the federation back to its old practices of irregularities, black-market activities and crime. Those concerned have called for the minister’s intervention to protect the image of the federation and the clubs. When contacted, Golam Mostofa Montu of Pirojpur Rifle Club said all the allegations against him were fabricated and false.

Regarding the allegation that he withdrew bullets but did not record them in the club’s documents, he said, “These allegations are fabricated.” Mir Daulat Hossain of Capital Shooting Club said, “I was shocked to hear this. I have no words to describe it. It could be out of jealousy. They are spreading false information against me.” Sakif Shamim, General Secretary of the National Shooting Federation, was contacted several times for his comments, but he did not answer the calls.