In the aftermath of a violent attack on student activists and vandalism at the residence of an Awami League leader, authorities in Bangladesh have arrested 40 individuals in Gazipur, near Dhaka, as part of a large-scale crackdown titled “Operation Devil Hunt.” The operation, launched on Saturday by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus’s interim government, aims to restore law and order, according to media reports.
The violence erupted Friday night in Gazipur’s Dakshinkhan area, where mobs targeted the residence of former Liberation War Affairs Minister Mozammel Haque. The attacks injured at least 14 people, many of whom were reportedly part of the group attempting to vandalize properties associated with the deposed Awami League party.
The injured were initially treated at Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital, with some later transferred to Dhaka Medical College for further care.
In response to the unrest, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the National Citizens Committee organized a day-long protest and rally in Gazipur. During the protest, a student was injured in a shooting outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office, escalating tensions further.
Superintendent of Police Chowdhury Jaber Sadek confirmed that 40 individuals were arrested during raids across the district as part of the crackdown. The operation, led by the Bangladesh Army, Navy, and Air Force, is being carried out in collaboration with the police, Border Guard Bangladesh, Ansar, and Coast Guard.
Home Affairs Advisor Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury stated that “Operation Devil Hunt” targets those responsible for destabilizing the country. “This operation is aimed at rooting out the evil forces behind criminal activities, lawlessness, and terrorism,” Jahangir said.
He further assured that those responsible for recent attacks, including the assault on students in Gazipur, would be held accountable. “Many have already been arrested, and the rest will soon face justice,” he added.
Friday’s incident is part of a broader wave of violence that has engulfed Bangladesh since Wednesday night. Mobs across the country targeted supporters of the deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, vandalizing homes, businesses, and properties. Reports suggest that at least 70 attacks occurred across 35 districts.
In a particularly symbolic act, protesters set fire to the historic 32 Dhanmondi residence of Bangladesh’s founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the site from where he proclaimed independence in 1971.
Sheikh Hasina, 77, has been living in India since fleeing Bangladesh on August 5 last year after a massive student-led uprising ended her Awami League’s 16-year rule
In a statement on Friday, Chief Adviser Yunus called for the restoration of law and order and urged an end to the attacks on properties linked to the deposed Awami League leaders. Meanwhile, the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, criticized the unrest and called for effective measures to curb the “mob culture.”
The BNP has announced a series of rallies beginning February 11, demanding an electoral roadmap and immediate steps to address the deteriorating security situation. They warned that failure to act could lead to the resurgence of “fascist forces.”
As the crackdown continues, the government has vowed to maintain stability and ensure that those behind the violence are brought to justice. Authorities reiterated their commitment to preserving peace and preventing further unrest in the nation.
