Earlier 402 firearms licences out of 1725 in the district were cancelled in three phases during the last three years.

The cancelled firearms licences mostly belonged to opposition party leaders and activists, and civil and defence officials, sources said.

The deputy commissioner signed the fourth letter of cancellation of 102 firearms licences on September 26, 2006 under the Arms Act, sources at Barisal district administration said.

The recent cancellation list included firearms licences of Amir Hossain Amu, former MP and minister and central Awami League (AL) leader, advocate Talukdar Md Yunus, president of district bar association and district AL publicity secretary, and a few AL, Chhatra League and Jubo League leaders, sources said.

Besides, firearms licences of three lieutenant colonels, four majors, a navy ship commanding officer, 10 captains, a flight lieutenant, and an additional chief engineer were also cancelled.

Amir Hossain Amu and Talukdar Md Yunus said they were not given any notice before the cancellation.