M.M. Kamal
A total of 81 individuals have been arrested in Chandpur over the past nine days as part of the ongoing joint forces operation, Operation Devil Hunt. The arrests were confirmed by Chandpur District Police Superintendent Muhammad Abdur Rakib PPM on Monday (17 February) morning.
The first high-profile arrest under the operation was Tafazzal Hossain (Sdu) Patwari, Organising Secretary of the Chandpur District Awami League. He was detained on the evening of 9 February from his residence in the Truck Ghat area of Chandpur town. The joint forces—including the army, district detective branch (DB), district police, and Chandpur Model Police Station—arrested him in connection with three politically motivated cases.
On 11 February, at around 3 AM, law enforcement detained five suspected robbers while they were allegedly preparing for a robbery. Authorities seized locally made firearms (LG), three rounds of ammunition, various weapons, and tools. A yellow, unregistered mini-truck (Dhaka Metro N-12-5756), reportedly intended for use in criminal activities, was also confiscated.
Several Awami League leaders and members of affiliated organisations have also been arrested, including:
Ali Ershad Miazi, General Secretary of Chandpur Sadar Upazila Awami League
S.M. Zainal Abedin, Former President of Chandpur District Swechchhasebak League
Kawsarul Alam Kamrul, Joint General Secretary of District Swechchhasebak League and Chairman of Rupsha Uttar Union Parishad, Faridganj
Habibur Rahman Khan, District Swechchhasebak League Leader
Mahfuzul Kabir, Joint Convener of Shahrashti Upazila Jubo League
Rezaul Karim Rocky, Vice President of District Chhatra League
Kakon Gazi, President of the banned organisation Chhatra League, Chandpur Ward 13
Belayet Hossain, General Secretary of Bagadi Union Swechchhasebak League
Following the wave of arrests, tension has gripped local Awami League leaders and activists. Many have reportedly gone into hiding, while others have refrained from appearing in public.
Superintendent of Police Muhammad Abdur Rakib PPM stated: “A total of 81 individuals have been arrested in the last nine days under ‘Operation Devil Hunt’, including nine in the past 24 hours. The operation will continue, and strict action will be taken against criminals.”
