Reza Mahmud :
Amid activities aimed at destabilising Bangladesh’s law and order, driven by former Awami League members, the government has launched ‘Operation Devil Hunt’ to identify, track, and apprehend those responsible.
At the same time, civil society voices have urged the interim government to focus on the oligarchs who, having enriched themselves through illegal means under the former Hasina regime, are now funding criminal activities to disrupt national stability.
Following a high-level meeting at the Home Ministry on Saturday, the government initiated “Operation Devil Hunt” to restore order and bring those responsible for the unrest to justice. The operation began in Gazipur and other areas on the same day.
When contacted, renowned economist and political analyst Professor Mahbub Ullah told The New Nation on Sunday, “It is undeniable that oligarchs nurtured by the Hasina regime are financing chaos.
The government must act decisively-both in targeting direct perpetrators and apprehending the oligarchs enabling them.”
He emphasised that while such an operation is necessary, the government must also focus on businessmen who amassed illicit wealth during the Hasina era and are now channelling funds to Awami League elements to incite instability.
Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury reaffirmed on Sunday that “Operation Devil Hunt” would continue until all culprits are brought to justice.
“The operation will persist until every ‘devil’ is exposed and held accountable. No one involved in destabilising the country will be spared,” he stated while addressing reporters after inaugurating the new Soil Building at the Soil Resources Institute in Farmgate.
He clarified that the operation specifically targets those responsible for undermining national stability and violating the law.
When asked to define these “devils,” he identified them as individuals involved in acts of anarchy and lawlessness. Regarding the crackdown on attackers in Gazipur, he added, “Many of those who assaulted students and the public have already been apprehended, and the rest will soon face justice.”
Commenting on the arrest of five senior police officers, the adviser remarked that their crimes are well known to the public. Later, Senior Secretary of the Home Ministry Nasimul Ghani stressed that the joint forces’ “Operation Devil Hunt” is focused on neutralising sources of unrest.
“Our objective is to dismantle the networks attempting to destabilise the country. The operation will continue for as long as necessary,” he said in a briefing at the Home Ministry’s conference room.
He assured that all law enforcement agencies had been briefed to conduct the operation in a targeted manner, upholding law and order while ensuring human rights protection.
A command centre has been established to closely monitor the country’s law and order situation, and operations began on Sunday evening, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam announced.
“‘Operation Devil Hunt’ commenced yesterday, and the command centre will begin operations from 6 PM today,” he stated at a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy.
The command centre will include representatives from law enforcement agencies and the armed forces to oversee and direct operations effectively.
Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir welcomed the government’s initiative, describing “Operation Devil Hunt” as a timely and necessary measure to maintain law and order.
