Staff Reporter :
In response to the brutal attack on students and the general public in Gazipur on Friday night, the joint forces have initiated a nationwide special operation, titled Operation Devil Hunt, starting Saturday.
The operation aims to restore law and order and bring the perpetrators to justice, according to a press release issued by the home ministry’s public relations wing.
The press release stated that a high-level meeting of law enforcement agencies was convened at the home ministry on Saturday, where the decision to launch the operation was made.
Further details of Operation Devil Hunt will be disclosed at a press briefing today (Sunday).
Officials confirmed that the attack left several students and civilians seriously injured, reportedly at the hands of individuals linked to the former autocratic regime.
Outraged by the violence, the Jatiya Nagorik Committee staged a protest rally in Gazipur on Saturday, denouncing the assault on anti-discrimination student activists and civilians.
The rally, organised by the Gazipur district and city units of the committee, was held at Rajbari grounds around noon.
Following the event, students led several small processions across the town, pledging to continue their movement.
Key speakers at the rally included Ali Naser Khan, central organiser of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, along with M Soyeb, Anisur Rahman, and Nabil Yusuf, representing various units of the organisation.
Ali Naser Khan strongly called for the cancellation of the Awami League’s registration, asserting that those responsible for the violence must be prosecuted without delay.
He urged the freezing of the attackers’ assets and bank accounts and demanded their arrest within 24 hours.
Expressing frustration over the delayed response of law enforcement near the residence of former minister Mozammel Haque, Khan demanded an apology and resignation from the home affairs adviser.
He also called for the immediate removal of the Gazipur police commissioner and deputy commissioner, citing their alleged failure to act promptly.
In response to public concerns, Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury assured that those responsible for the attacks on students would be brought to justice.
Speaking to the media at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) on Saturday after visiting the injured, he stated: “The perpetrators of the Gazipur attacks will face justice.
Law enforcement agencies are working to identify and apprehend those responsible.”
Student leaders have accused the Awami League and its affiliates of orchestrating a deliberate assault, alleging that students were lured into a trap before being attacked.
Declaring that their fight against fascism had officially begun in Gazipur, they vowed to intensify their movement.
While Operation Devil Hunt in progress, one student was injured as an unidentified individual fired shots at members of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Gazipur city yesterday. The incident took place on Rajbari Road at around 6:30pm.
