'Operation Devil Hunt' to continue until devils are finished: Home adviser

The countrywide "Operation Devil Hunt" will go on until all the devils are finished, said Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today (9 February).

"The operation will target those who are desperate to destabilise the country," he warned, reports UNB.

Jahangir made the remarks while talking to reporters after inaugurating the newly built "Mrittika Bhaban" at the Soil Resource Development Institute in the capital's Khamarbari area.

"Many of those who attacked students and citizens in Gazipur have already been brought under the law, and the rest will be held soon," he said.

The ministry took action after the attack on students at the residence of former minister AKM Mozammel Haque in Gazipur on Friday night (7 February).

Following this, the government announced the launch of "Operation Devil Hunt", with the joint forces beginning operations from last night (8 February).

The joint forces have so far arrested 40 people, suspected to be members of the Awami League, said Gazipur Superintendent of Police Chowdhury Jaber Sadek.

Regarding the arrest of five senior police officers, the adviser said the public is aware of the crimes committed by those arrested.

Home secretary says further operations planned

Meanwhile, at a press conference at the Ministry of Home Affairs this afternoon, Senior Secretary Nasimul Ghani said the army has been deployed due to the "realities of the law and order situation" over the past six months. 

"The police suffered a lot during that time. Morale has been broken, and there has been moral and structural damage. For this reason, the army is still deployed in the field to assist the general administration," he said.

He stated that several operations will be carried out as necessary, adding, "One of these is Operation Devil Hunt, which started yesterday. Its purpose and work are to neutralise the pockets from which the country is being destabilised."

He assured that all forces have been "prepared, briefed, and are working to take action following the law."

A workshop has been scheduled for 11 February to discuss how legal measures can be enforced to protect human rights and the environment. 

"This workshop will be attended by 150 experts, including police, district magistrates, judicial magistrates, the attorney general, the IGP, the home adviser, the industry adviser, and the environment adviser," he said.

"It will determine how the legal process will be structured for the protection of human rights and the environment."

The secretary stated that the operation will first be conducted in Dhaka Metropolitan and Gazipur areas.

When asked about the timing of the operation, he said, "It has suddenly been seen that a random attempt is being made to destabilise the country. The decision has been taken to conduct 'Operation Devil Hunt' so that people's minds are not agitated. The police are leading it, and this operation will continue as long as it is needed."

In response to questions about whether more arrests are expected following the detention of several police officers, he said, "Hopefully."

Before the press briefing, the home adviser and home secretary held a virtual meeting with police superintendents from across the country. Asked about the discussions, Nasimul Ghani said that the police supers have raised various problems in that meeting.