Bangladesh arrests thousands as crime surges

DHAKA – Bangladeshi security forces have arrested more than 8,600 people after a two-week crackdown targeting gangs allegedly connected to the ousted government of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, the government said on Feb 24.

The arrests come as concern grows at rising crime levels in the capital, with the police saying that the number of robberies has doubled since January 2024.

Mr Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, head of the Interior Ministry in the interim government that took over after Ms Hasina was ousted in the August 2024 student-led revolution, ordered officers to intensify “Operation Devil Hunt”.

The police said the operation began on Feb 8.

Mr Chowdhury blamed members of Ms Hasina’s Awami League party for the crime spate, accusing them of wanting to “destabilise” the country.

“Operation Devil Hunt will continue, and we won’t let the perpetrators sleep or rest,” Mr Chowdhury told reporters early on Feb 24 after an emergency briefing to address security.

“I have ordered the forces to intensify patrolling.”

The crackdown has also prompted protests by students angry at the spate of violent crime, with many demanding Mr Chowdhury resign.

“We don’t know what this ‘hunt’ is actually achieving,” said Ms Sadia Afreen Mou, a graduate student.

“The situation is going from bad to worse. The number of rapes is increasing, while assaults and mugging have made life unbearable.”

Ms Sumaiya Nazneen described how her brother, injured businessman Anwar Hossain, was shot and stabbed outside his home by machete-wielding robbers riding motorbikes.

“The mugging happened right in front of our house,” she said. AFP

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