Awami League has welcomed the joint operation to recover weapons and ammunition, but urged the authorities to ensure the innocents are not harassed.

"We welcome the joint operation to recover weapons and ammunition. As criminals are wreaking havoc across the country, it is imperative to arrest them in the interest of the people," it said in a post in the organisation`s verified Facebook page.

However, the AL said that no innocent people should be harassed during this operation and recommended paying special attention to it, reports UNB.

The party which lost power in a student-led upsurge on August 5 said that those involved in hundreds of police station robberies in Bangladesh - members of some political parties, their video footage, various news have already been published. "They must be arrested by due process of law."

But, it said, if the members of those political parties act as the source of the joint forces, then the main aim and purpose of this campaign will be questioned.

"Because they will target leaders and workers of opposing political parties, even their own party opponents," it added.

Awami League said that it believes the authorities must be tough on the gunmen.

"Make sure that no innocent people are arrested. We want drugs and illegal weapons free Bangladesh," the facebook status of the AL said.

The government launched a joint operation from September 4 for recovering the firearms and ammunition not deposited in the police station under suspended license and arms looted in recent times from police stations, police lines, police outposts and other places.