Operation Devil Hunt: 81 AL leaders, activists arrested in Gazipur
The operation was announced yesterday after AL men attacked students in Gazipur on Friday night
A total of 81 leaders and activists of Awami League (AL) and its affiliated organisations have been arrested from different areas by police in Gazipur during drives conducted as part of the nationwide "Operation Devil Hunt".
During the raids, Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP) arrested 41 AL leaders and activists involved in Friday night's attack on students in the Dhirashram Dakshin area.
They were arrested in a case filed by Abdullah Muhit, an activist of the Anti-discrimination Student movement, at GMP Sadar Metro Police Station.
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Talking to The Business Standard today (9 February), GMP Additional Commissioner (Crime and Ops) Taherul Haque confirmed that 41 people were arrested as of noon in connection with the attack on students.
He said that 16 individuals were arrested following the Friday night attack on the students and 25 more people, who are suspected to have involvement in the incident, were held between yesterday (8 February) and this noon.
"All of them are involved with Awami League and its affiliated organisations," said Taherul.
Meanwhile, as of 9am today, Gazipur District Police also arrested 46 people, including 40 leaders and activists of AL and its affiliated organisations, during separate Operation Devil Hunt drives in various areas under five police stations.
Gazipur Superintendent of Police (SP) Chowdhury Md Jaber Sadeq confirmed TBS this morning that the arrests were made during overnight operations, which started late last night.
Among those arrested, 11 were in the custody of Kapasia Police Station, 19 in Sreepur Police, nine in Joydevpur police, three in Kaliakair police, and seven in Kaliganj police, he said.
The arrestees include AL's union parishad unit presidents and secretaries, as well as leaders and activists of AL and its wings of different levels, SP Jaber added.
However, their names and identities were not immediately available.
The Bangladesh Army and Rapid Action Battalion also conducted raids last night as part of Operation Devil Hunt. Details regarding these drives are yet to be disclosed by the security forces.
Other districts
Joint forces also detained seven AL leaders, including a union parishad chairman, during separate drives at various areas in Noakhali's Hatia Upazila last night.
However, our correspondents from different districts reported that drives under Operation Devil Hunt were yet to begin in their respective areas.
Rajshahi Metropolitan Police spokesperson and Additional Deputy Commissioner Sabina Yasmin told TBS that no joint operation was conducted in the metropolitan area.
Only regular police operations took place, she added.
Rajshahi District Police spokesperson and Additional SP Rafiqul Islam also said that four individuals were arrested in regular police operations while no joint forces operation was conducted in the district.
Why Operation Devil Hunt?
Yesterday (8 February), the interim government launched Operation Devil Hunt across the country following a violent attack on students and civilians in Gazipur the night before.
A high-level meeting at the Ministry of Home Affairs led to the immediate deployment of joint forces to restore order. Law enforcement agencies have been directed to take strict action against those involved.
The announcement came after the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement yesterday issued a 24-hour ultimatum for the arrest of those responsible for the attack.
Protesters in Gazipur also demanded the cancellation of Awami League's registration, the trial of Sheikh Hasina and her associates, and the confiscation of corrupt leaders' assets.
The violence erupted when agitators attempted to vandalise the home of former minister Mozammel Haque around 9pm on 7 February, injuring 15 people.
A local mosque announcement claimed the house was being robbed, prompting intervention by law enforcement and military personnel, who later brought the situation under control.
