Khulna customs has sought permission from National Board of Revenue (NBR) to lodge an FIR (First Information Report) under the Arms Act against HRC Shipping Lines in connection with the recent seizure of weapons from one of its ships.

Three sophisticated M-16 rifles along with 169 rounds of ammunition were seized from MV Banga Lanka on the night of November 6 at Mongla port.

Investigation is already underway in connection with a departmental case filed earlier by a customs officer questioning the shipping company's authority to keep the unlicensed M-16 rifles for the last four years in the bonded locker of the vessel for security purposes as claimed by the ship's authorities.

Mohammad Nurul Islam, joint commissioner of the customs, said a show cause notice to this effect would be served shortly upon the ship's owner.

An official of the HRC Shipping Lines at its Khulna office said the rifles are properties of MV Banga Lanka, not of the HRC. Therefore, the HRC is not required to obtain any separate licence for the weapons. "The arms are of no use to us."

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Khulna Range Abdul Aziz Sarker said the ship is out of the jurisdiction of Khulna police since it is now at the outer anchorage of Chittagong port. But the matter is still being investigated as the weapons were seized by Mongla Sea Customs, the DIG said.