Bangladesh launched “Operation Devil Hunt” Saturday after violent clashes were reported between local residents and anti-Sheikh Hasina student groups in Gazipur. The operation is coordinated by joint security forces to restore law and order across all the affected areas.
The country’s Home Ministry stated that the decision was confirmed after an emergency meeting on Saturday. “A meeting was held at the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the terrorist attacks on students in Gazipur last night,” the ministry said in a statement. “It was decided to launch “Operation Devil Hunt” to stabilize the situation and bring perpetrators to justice.
The unrest broke out on Friday night in Gazipur during the “Bulldozer Program,” which was organized by student groups opposing former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The clashes reportedly began when locals mistook the students for robbers as they approached the residence of Liberation War Affairs Minister Mozammel Haq. At least 15 students sustained serious injuries and were taken to various hospitals for treatment, according to local media reports.
Leaders of the anti-discrimination student movement, which is campaigning to unseat Hasina, have flocked to Gazipur to protest the attack on students.
Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor, Muhammad Yunus, appealed to the citizens to maintain peace and avoid further violence. “All citizens must work to restore complete law and order. There should be no attacks on properties associated with Sheikh Hasina’s family, Awami League politicians, or any citizen for any reason,” his press office statement read.
As “Operation Devil Hunt” gains momentum across the country, police are on tenterhooks to ensure that any perpetrators are brought to book, and tensions don’t rise even further.
