Operation Devil Hunt: Police arrest 65, including 40 Awami League members in Gazipur

In a series of raids across Gazipur, a total of 65 individuals, including 40 leaders and activists of the Awami League, were arrested. 

The arrests came as part of an ongoing operation, with the police claiming that these individuals were involved in activities aimed at disrupting law and order.

According to Chowdhury Md. Zaber Sadeq, the Superintendent of Police for Gazipur district, the raids were conducted between Saturday night and Sunday morning, with 40 leaders and activists of the Awami League taken into custody from various parts of the district. 

Raids were carried out in different upazilas (sub-districts) until 9 AM on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Gazipur Metropolitan Police’s Additional Commissioner, Mohammad Zahidul Haque, confirmed that an additional 25 people were detained from the metropolitan area during the night, bringing the total number of arrests to 65. 

The story was initially reported by Bdnews24.com.

Among those arrested, one individual has been identified—Masud Mahmud, who holds the position of Joint Convener of the Jubo League‍‍`s 40th Ward in the Gazipur City Corporation. The police have yet to disclose the names or further details of the other detainees.

Superintendent Zaber Sadeq stated, "As part of Operation Devil Hunt, which began on Thursday, 40 people have been arrested so far. 

They are involved with the fascist government, and they are accused of attempting to disrupt law and order."

Additional Commissioner Zahidul Haque added that the 25 individuals detained from the metropolitan area face similar charges related to attempts to disturb law and order.

The operation, dubbed "Devil Hunt," saw the involvement of not just local law enforcement but also other security forces, including the army and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), who carried out simultaneous raids throughout the night.

However, there has yet to be any official information regarding arrests or detentions made by these other agencies.

The authorities seem to be taking a strict stance against those they believe are trying to create unrest, targeting members of the ruling Awami League in particular. 

The scale of the operation and the significant number of arrests hint at rising tensions, as law enforcement tightens its grip in the lead-up to further political developments.

This crackdown has raised questions about the political climate in Gazipur, as observers wonder whether these raids are part of a broader strategy to control potential unrest or if the detainees were involved in any specific incidents that warranted such action. 

With the ongoing operation and further investigations, more information is expected to surface in the coming days.