Sources however said charges will be pressed against six suspects in four cases on the haul on July 1.

"The charges against the arrestees will be proved," hoped Anisur Rahman, public prosecutor (PP) of the cases. Assistant PPs also expressed similar views.

Police sources seeking anonymity said the assistant superintendent of police (ASP) of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) probing the cases stated in the charge sheet, "Awami League (AL) high-ups smuggled in the ammunition to destabilise the country.

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But the charge sheet did not specify the AL leaders who brought the ammunition and from where and how they brought that. Lack of clarity in the charge sheet will go in favour of the accused, the sources said.

Before the investigation began, the prime minister, the then home minister and the inspector general of police also accused the AL of smuggling in the ammunition to create instability in the country.

Police however arrested Jamaat-e- Islami leader Delwar Hossain, Jatiya Party leader Azahar Ali and Islami Chhatra Shibir activist Shamim in connection with the ammo haul.

Bogra police sources also said the CID concealed a statement by Harunur Rashid Jalal, who was arrested in Dhaka last year, saying the United Liberation Front of Assam (Ulfa) smuggled the ammunition for Maoist guerrillas. Jalal was not allowed to say this in his judicial statement before a magistrate.

Investigations last year revealed the ammunition were in transit for Maoist guerrillas in Nepal via India. But the case was handed over to the CID in a haste, impeding proper investigation, sources said.

About 50,100 bullets in 18 plastic bags and 42 packets of explosives weighing two kg each were recovered a year ago from a truck abandoned at a brick kiln of Yasin Ali. Another 11,000 bullets were found in and around the house of Akhlakur Rahman Pintu, convenor of Birkedar union AL in Kahalu upazila.

Pintu and driver of the truck Ashish Dev Barman are still absconding while four others including Pintu's wife are under police custody. Sessions Judge of Bogra Khandakar Golam Mostafa on June 17 rejected a prayer for quashing the charges against them.

The other accused are Jubo League leader Atikur Rahman Dulu, helpers of the abandoned truck Swapan, Kishore Dev Barman and Altu Mia.

Police officials said the ammunition were to be kept in Pintu's house for some days before despatch through Dhamuirhat border of Naogaon on way to Nepal via India.