Bangladesh’s security forces have arrested 1,308 people under “Operation Devil Hunt,” an overnight crackdown launched on Saturday to curb violence and vandalism across the country.
The interim government, led by chief adviser Muhammad Yunus, has vowed to continue the operation until “all devils” are rooted out.
The operation began after student activists were injured during an attack on the residence of an Awami League leader on the outskirts of Dhaka. Joint forces comprising the army, police, and specialised units arrested 274 people in metropolitan cities and other regions in the first 24 hours according to major media outlets like the Daily Star.
“The operation will target those who are desperate to destabilise the country… it will continue until all devils are rooted out,” retired home affairs adviser lieutenant general Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said.
On Friday, chief adviser Yunus urged for strict law and order and demanded an end to attacks on the properties of the deposed premier’s family and leaders of what he called the “fascist” Awami League.
Violence in Gazipur
Bangladesh has faced unrest for four days, with violence breaking out on Friday night in Gazipur’s Dakshinkhan area. Mobs attacked the home of former liberation war affairs minister Mozammel Haque, injuring at least 14 people. The attackers targeted symbols of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League but faced counter-attacks.
Authorities arrested 81 Awami League activists in Gazipur, where the violence first broke out. Meanwhile, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement claimed their members were trying to prevent looting at Haque’s house when miscreants attacked them.
That evening, unidentified attackers shot a student outside the deputy commissioner’s office. In response, the student movement held a day-long protest in Gazipur, condemning the violence.
‘Maximum punishment’
Home affairs adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury assured that those behind the attacks on students in Gazipur would face justice.
“Many of those responsible have already been arrested. Those who haven’t will be caught soon, and we will ensure they receive the maximum punishment,” he said.
Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has urged the interim government to curb “mob culture” and restore order.
Command centre set up to monitor security
Chief adviser’s press secretary Shafiqul Alam confirmed on Sunday that a command centre was set up to manage security.
“We hope that following the establishment of the centre, the law and order situation will improve and a quick response can be carried out to any threat,” Alam said.
The command centre includes members of law enforcement agencies and representatives of the armed forces.
Sheikh Hasina and Awami League under fire
Since Sheikh Hasina’s government was toppled in August last year after a student-led uprising, many Awami League leaders have gone into hiding, and several have been arrested. Hasina herself fled to India.
The ousted leader and her colleagues face multiple charges, including crimes against humanity, for their brutal crackdown on protesters in July.
Protests against Hasina grew after her live online address last Wednesday. Mobs vandalised homes and businesses of her supporters and set fire to the historic 32 Dhanmondi residence of Bangladesh’s founding leader, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.