Forty people have been arrested in Bangladesh in an operation launched following a violent attack on a student group’s activists during vandalism at an Awami League leader’s house on the outskirts of Dhaka that left several people injured, according to a media report.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus’s government ordered “Operation Devil Hunt” on Saturday after the attack on students and civilians in the Gazipur district on Friday night.
Superintendent of Police (SP) of Gazipur Chowdhury Jaber Sadek said that the 40 people were rounded up from parts of the district as part of the operation
On Friday night, at least 14 individuals, all belonging to the mobs out to vandalise and destroy all signs of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League party, were injured as they came under attack in Gazipur city’s Dakshinkhan area. The violence occurred during the attack on the residence of former Liberation War Affairs Minister Mozammel Haque.
The injured were immediately taken to Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital for treatment. Later, some of them were referred to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital.
After the protest, a student was injured in a shooting by miscreants in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office around 6:30 pm.
Home Affairs Advisor Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has said that Operation Devil Hunt will be targeting those who seek to destabilise the country, stressing that the crackdown would continue until the devils are brought to book.
The operation is being jointly conducted by the Bangladesh Army, Air Force, and Navy, along with members of the police, Border Guard Bangladesh, Ansar, and Coast Guard.
Asked about the goals of the operation, Jahangir said, “What does devil’ mean? It refers to evil forces. This operation is aimed at those who try to destabilise the country, break the law, engage in criminal activities, and commit acts of terrorism.” Jahangir, a former military officer, added that those involved in the recent attacks on students in Gazipur would be brought to justice.
