Bangladesh arrests thousands in crackdown dubbed ‘Operation Devil Hunt’
Police targeting criminals have arrested more than 8,600 people since February 8
Bangladeshi security forces have arrested more than 8,600 people after a two-week crackdown targeting gangs allegedly connected to the ousted government of Sheikh Hasina, the government said on Monday.
The arrests come as concern grows at rising crime levels in the capital, with police saying that the number of robberies has doubled since January last year.
Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, head of the interior ministry in the interim government that took over after Hasina was ousted in the August 2024 student-led revolution, ordered officers to intensify “Operation Devil Hunt”.
Police said security forces have arrested more than 8,600 people since the operation began on February 8.
Chowdhury blamed members of Hasina’s Awami League party for the spate of crime, accusing them of wanting to “destabilise” the country.
“Operation Devil Hunt will continue and we won’t let the perpetrators sleep or rest,” Chowdhury told reporters early on Monday after an emergency briefing to address security.