Staff Reporter :
In a sweeping response to the recent wave of student protests demanding quota reforms in government jobs, law enforcement agencies in the capital Dhaka have arrested 2,536 individuals over the past few weeks.
The protests, which have captivated across the nation, have elicited a formidable reaction from the authorities.
According to KN Roy Nioty, Assistant Deputy Commissioner (Media and Public Relations) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), between July 12 and 26, 2,536 individuals were apprehended in various parts of the capital. Additionally, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has detained 290 people from different regions, including Dhaka, in connection with the ongoing unrest.
“Out of these arrests, 71 were made in Dhaka, while the remaining was from outside the capital,” said ASP Imran Khan of the RAB headquarters’ media wing, noting that the operations continued until Saturday morning.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan stated on Thursday that the law enforcement agencies’ operations would persist until all attackers and saboteurs were identified.
“No matter who they are, no one will be spared,” Khan asserted during a meeting with law enforcement officials and public representatives at Rangpur Shilpakala Auditorium.
Harun-or-Rashid, Chief of the Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), emphasised a zero-tolerance approach towards those involved in violence.
“Those who have committed acts of sabotage and killed police officers in the name of the quota movement will not be spared, no matter where they are,” he declared at a press conference held at the DB office in the capital on Friday.
Rashid further warned that those responsible for killing police officers, murdering civilians, and damaging government installations, including the metro rail, would face legal consequences. “Those who led these activities, financed them, or facilitated financial transactions will not be spared,” he added.
Opposition voices have also been vocal amidst the crackdown. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir claimed that at least 2,000 opposition leaders and activists were arrested across the country following the violent student movement. Speaking at a press conference at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office, Alamgir demanded the immediate release of their arrested leaders and activists.
“So far, we have come to know that around 2,000 of our leaders and activists were arrested,” Alamgir said. He also highlighted the communication blackout imposed by the government, which has hindered the collection of exact information regarding the arrestees and casualties.