Operation Devil Hunt: 40 AL Leaders, Activists Arrested In Gazipur

A violent incident took place at the residence of former Minister for Liberation War Affairs, A.K.M. Mozammel Haque, in Gazipur, where students of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement were attacked. Following this, the Ministry of Home Affairs ordered the nationwide operation "Devil Hunt," which is currently underway in Gazipur and across the country. As part of this special joint force operation, 40 leaders and activists of the Awami League have been arrested in Gazipur. The Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP) confirmed this information today, Sunday (February 9).

According to the decision made in a coordination meeting of law enforcement agencies under the Ministry of Home Affairs on Saturday (February 8) afternoon, the joint forces launched a massive raid starting that night. Security patrols were intensified at all key locations. A checkpoint was set up in front of the Gazipur District Commissioner's office, where army personnel stopped and searched various vehicles, including motorcycles. 

Gazipur Superintendent of Police, Chowdhury Jaber Sadeq, stated that so far, 40 Awami League leaders and activists have been arrested in the operation. 

It is noteworthy that on Friday (February 7) at around 9 PM, local residents allegedly attacked students in the Dhirashram Dakshinkhan area of Gazipur metropolis, accusing them of vandalizing the house of former minister and district Awami League president Mozammel Haque. At least 15 students were injured in the attack. 

Leaders and activists of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in Gazipur stated that most of the injured were admitted to Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital in Gazipur. At around 3 AM, two central leaders of the movement, Sarjis Alam and Hasnat Abdullah, visited the hospital to see the injured.

According to the leaders of the movement, they received information at night that Mozammel Haque's residence in Dhirashram was being attacked and looted. Upon hearing this, the students set out to prevent the looting. Around 15 to 20 of them quickly reached the scene and found that looting was indeed taking place. A public announcement was made over a loudspeaker, gathering hundreds of people. 

Before other students could arrive, some of those who had initially reached the scene were taken to the rooftop of the house and beaten. When the remaining students arrived, they were also assaulted by local residents.

Abdullah Al Mahim, the Gazipur district coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, stated that upon receiving reports of looting at A.K.M. Mozammel Haque's residence, their activists rushed to the scene to stop it. However, members of the Bangladesh Chhatra League, Jubo League, and local residents attacked them after making announcements over a loudspeaker.