The district administration in Kushtia today cancelled licenses of 10 firearms of seven local Awami League (AL) leaders following an infighting that left one activist dead.

Kushtia Deputy Commissioner Syed Bealal Hossain told The Daily Star that the action has been taken fearing public safety, reports our district correspondent.

A list of the firearms has been sent to the superintendent of police, Bealal added.

The leaders are president of district unit Swechchasebak League Akteruzzaman Labu and general secretary Sazzad Hossain Sabuj, suspended general secretary of Kushtia unit AL Mominur Rahman, joint secretary of Mirpur Pouro unit AL Abdul Wahed Joarder his two brothers, Mohammad Ali Joarder and Kasem Ali Joarder and an AL cadre of housing area Mostafizur Rahman alias Madhu.

Of them, Mominur Rahman was holding two firearms --a shotgun and a pistol-- while Sazzad Hossain Sabuj was carrying two firearms, one shotgun and one pistol.

Meanwhile Kushtia police already seized 6 firearms, says Superintendent of Police in Kushtia Proloy Chisim.

"The others have been asked to deposit their firearms within 48 hours." SP said

"If they fail their firearms will be declared illegal," he added.

According to police sources, those who had been carrying firearms legally all have previous criminal records.

Several of them directly involved with outlawed party politics.  

They joined Awami League when the party formed government after the 2008 election.

Different sources said the decision of canceling the firearms of AL leaders was taken after a gunfight between two front organisations of the party on August 15 that killed one pro-Al activist killed and 30 more injured.

A high official of district police said licenses of more firearms will be canceled.

"They got their license using political means. In general they are not good people," he said seeking anonymity.