More than 8,000 people were arrested by law enforcing agencies, including army during the last five days under the ongoing countrywide crackdown that began after midnight on May 28 last.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Noor Mohammad yesterday told journalists at a briefing at Police Headquarters in the city yesterday that a total of 8,325 people were arrested on various charges and 33 firearms recovered so far since May 28 during the special drive to improve country’s law and order.
In 24 hours ending 5:00pm yesterday, he said 1,439 people were arrested while 7 firearms recovered across the country.
Different political parties have strongly protested against the ongoing countrywide crackdown saying that many of the arrestees were prominent political leaders including former lawmakers and municipal chairmen. Most of the arrestees belong to Awami League, BNP, Jatiya Party and Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh.
Major political parties are considering this drive as a move to cripple the organizational base of their parties as they are preparing to launch a countrywide movement to free Awami League President Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.
However, IGP Noor Mohammad said the special drive
across the country is aimed at improving the law and order situation and to create congenial atmosphere for holding the upcoming general election free from muscle power and terrorism.
Explaining the objective of the special drive, he said that it was in no way motivated against the politicians as reported by a section of the press.
“I want to make it clear that improving the country’s law and order situation and creating congenial atmosphere for the general elections due in December is the only objective of the drive,” he said.
“Illegal arms holders, listed criminals, extortionists and terrorists are the target of the drive,” he said and pointed to the recent incidents showing deterioration of law and order situation and causing worries of the people.
The IGP said though the special drive was being carried out under the State of Emergency, none of the arrested persons was sued under that law.
“‘Those arrested during the last few days were held on specific charges or allegations. After long one and a half years, such a drive is being launched only to arrest listed terrorists, criminals and extortionists. The special drive was not intended to harass or arrest politicians,’ he said.
He, however, mentioned that they had nothing to do if anyone of the arrested persons was affiliated to any political party.
Noor Mohammad also cautioned that if any police personnel was found guilty of arresting innocent people, he would be sacked and sent to jail.
Meanwhile, leaders of different political parties also gave strong reactions to the ongoing countrywide crackdown.
Awami League Acting General Secretary Zillur Rahman said the government has started arresting political leaders and activists at the grassroots level fearing a popular mass upsurge scheduled to be launched any time by the major political parties.
Jatiya Party Secretary General Ruhul Amin Howlader said it would be very shameful for the nation if the government’s ongoing drive is to arrest the political leaders and activists.
It is also regretting that in the name of arresting criminals, the government has targeted the political leaders and activists.
Former President of Dhaka University Teachers Association (DUTA) Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique said a panic has created in the mind of common people and politicians following the launching of the crackdown.
Our correspondents from different districts of the country reported that hundreds of people were arrested on various charges yesterday.
Our Kishoreganj Correspondent Alam Sarwar Titu reports: During the 48 hours, ending 6:00pm yesterday, the joint forces and police arrested 81 persons including ‘listed criminals’ and raided the residences of local leaders of different political parties including Awami League, BNP, Jatiya Party and union parishad chairmen.
On Sunday night, joint forces led by Lt Col Md Ashikuzzaman, Police Super Mizanur Rahman and Deputy Commander Major Salahuddin jointly launched a special drive to arrest 216 ‘most wanted’ criminals, including AL, BNP and JP leaders and activists, who were allegedly involved in various criminal activities and extortion.
They said that so far 81 wanted persons were arrested from Kishoreganj Sadar and other upazilas of the district.
The joint forces also raided the residences of Poura BNP president Ismail Hossain, Sramik League president Sirajul Islam, ward commissioner Shamim, Shahriar, Jubo Dal leader Polin and several other ward commissioners and union parishad chairmen.
SP Mizanur Rahman said the crackdown would continue to recover illegal arms and detain most wanted criminals. “Except listed terrorists, no political leader will be arrested,” he said.
Source: The New NAtion