Home Affairs Advisor Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has stated that 'Operation Devil Hunt' will persist until the 'Devil' is completely eradicated.
Speaking to journalists on Sunday morning (February 9) after inaugurating the new Soil Building at the Soil Resources Institute in Farmgate, Dhaka, he emphasized the government's firm stance on the matter.
He further stated that many individuals involved in the recent attack on students and civilians in Gazipur have already been detained, while efforts are underway to bring the remaining perpetrators to justice.
Jahangir Alam Chowdhury reaffirmed that the operation is specifically aimed at individuals attempting to destabilize the country, ensuring that law and order are upheld.
On Friday night (February 7), around 9 pm, violence erupted in the Dhirashram Dakshinkhan area of Gazipur metropolis, following allegations that a group of students vandalized the residence of former minister and Awami League district president AKM Mozammel Haque. In response, local residents launched an attack on the students, leaving at least 15 injured.
However, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement has presented a different account. According to its leaders, they received reports that Mozammel Haque's residence was under attack and being looted.
Acting on this information, a group of students rushed to the scene to prevent further destruction. Upon arrival, they witnessed looting in progress, at which point a public announcement was made over a loudspeaker, drawing hundreds of people to the site.
Before additional students could reach the area, some of those already present were taken to the rooftop of the house and beaten. When more students arrived, they too were assaulted by local residents.
Following the incident, the Home Ministry swiftly launched 'Operation Devil Hunt', deploying joint forces to conduct extensive raids and reinforce security patrols across key locations.
As of now, 40 Awami League leaders and activists have been arrested, according to Gazipur Police Superintendent Chowdhury Jaber Sadeq.
Additionally, five senior police officers have also been detained in connection with the incident. Addressing this, the Home Affairs Advisor remarked that their crimes are well known to the public.
