Operation Devil Hunt: B'desh imposes nationwide security clampdown
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Dhaka: Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, on Saturday ordered a nationwide security clampdown following fresh unrest triggered by the shooting of a youth leader of a right-wing cultural group, who is also a candidate in the February 12 general elections.
Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury announced the launch of the second phase of Operation Devil Hunt to ensure public safety and tackle the growing threat of illegal arms.
The announcement came after three assailants shot Sharif Osmann Hadi, leader of Inquilab Mancha, while he began his election campaign on Friday at central Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area. Hadi is contesting as an independent candidate. Doctors have reported his condition as critical.
Chowdhury also announced a reward of Taka 50 lakh (USD 40,985.81) for information leading to the arrest of one of the suspects, identified by police as Faisal Karim Masud, whose picture has been released.
The interim government had first launched Operation Devil Hunt in February this year, following protests over an attack on the private residence of a former minister in the northern suburbs of Dhaka. That clampdown targeted alleged supporters and “henchmen” of the now-disbanded Awami League, the party of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The Inquilab Mancha, to which Hadi belongs, has been at the forefront of a campaign calling for the disbandment of the Awami League.
With PTI inputs