Operation Devil Hunt: Over 1300 arrested as Bangladesh government launches sweeping crackdown
Bangladesh authorities have arrested over 1300 people during a joint forces operation launched to tackle the latest wave of violence across the country which saw attackers vandalising the family residence of Founding Father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Dhaka and other properties belonging to Awami League.
According to reports, the operation named 'Operation Devil Hunt' was launched after violent clashes injured student activists during an attack on the residence of an Awami League leader in Gazipur last week.
Also Read: Vandalisation of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s residence is regrettable: MEA
The violence later spread to different parts of the country.
The operation will continue until all the "devils are rooted out", Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury was quoted as saying by The Daily Star.
When asked about the objective of the operation, Jahangir said, "What does 'devil' mean? It refers to evil forces. The operation will target those who attempt to destabilise the country, break the law, and engage in criminal activities."
Speaking on the operation, Nasimul Ghani, senior secretary at the home ministry, told the newspaper, "This is a police-led operation, with the army and other forces providing assistance."
Also Read: India sends 16400 tonnes of rice to Bangladesh amid tensions
"They [the joint forces] will have the same authority as the police and magistrates within the legal framework. The operation began yesterday [Saturday] and will continue for as long as necessary," he said.
What happened last year?
Former PM Sheikh Hasina was ousted from Bangladesh amid severe protests against her regime over a job quota row.
Following the toppling of her Awami League-led government, Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus returned to Bangladesh and took charge of an interim government.
Since Hasina's ouster, Bangladesh has witnessed continuous attacks on Hindu community members and clashes between Awami League and Yunus supporters.
Bangabandhu's residence set on fire
Thousands of protesters set the family residence of Bangladesh's founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on fire, triggering tension in the country last week.
Hasina and several members of her former government are facing numerous charges for offences, including crime against humanity, for launching a crackdown on protesters during the July-August uprising.
IBNS
Senior Staff Reporter at Northeast Herald, covering news from Tripura and Northeast India.
Related Articles
From Kabaddi to Courtroom: Three Indian-origin men sent to prison over violence during 2023 UK kabaddi event
Three Indian-origin men have been arrested and jailed in the UK for their involvement in violent disorder during a kabaddi tournament in Derby in England’s East Midlands region in 2023.
Burnt to death: 7-year-old girl killed as BNP leader’s house set on fire in Bangladesh
A seven-year-old girl was burnt to death and three others were injured after the house of a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader—allegedly locked from the outside—was set on fire in Bangladesh’s Lakshmipur district early Sunday, media reports said.
No evidence of blasphemy by Hindu man lynched in Bangladesh: Probe
Investigators probing the brutal lynching of Dipu Chandra Das, a 25-year-old Hindu man killed in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district over alleged blasphemy, have found no evidence that he made any remark hurting religious sentiments.
South Africa hit by second mass shooting this month; 10 dead
At least 10 people were killed and another 10 injured in a mass shooting in Bekkersdal, a township outside Johannesburg, South African police said on Sunday. The attack marks the second mass shooting in the country this month, according to AFP.
Latest News
Misleading propaganda: MEA slams Bangladesh media reports on Delhi protest
From Kabaddi to Courtroom: Three Indian-origin men sent to prison over violence during 2023 UK kabaddi event
Obesity cannot be treated with shortcuts: Jitendra Singh
Burnt to death: 7-year-old girl killed as BNP leader’s house set on fire in Bangladesh
