(Barisal) Representative
On Saturday evening, February 8, 2025, the joint forces launched 'Operation Devil Hunt' across the country.
This operation is ongoing in the wake of recent nationwide extortion, sabotage, distribution of anti-government leaflets and various provocative activities, and attacks by miscreants on students and the public in Gazipur. The general public has welcomed this operation. However, a different incident has occurred in Bakerganj Upazila. The lack of progress in Bakerganj Police Station of Barisal in the ongoing Devil Hunt operation across the country is noticeable.
Meanwhile, although Operation Devil Hunt began on February 8, there were no arrests at Bakerganj Police Station until midnight on Thursday, February 13. That night, when a status against the police on Facebook went viral, the police conducted a raid on Friday afternoon and arrested a UP member named Md. Rafiqul Islam from Garuria Union and a person named Bachchu Hawlader from Boalia in Rangashree Union.
However, 6 people from Bakerganj Upazila were killed and 30-35 were seriously injured during the student movement against discrimination. This police station in Barisal district was in the news for the killings and injuries during the second mass uprising.
A source who did not wish to be named said that on the night of February 5, the police raided the village house of ASM Zulfiqar Haider, the vice-president of the Upazila Awami League and former chairman of Garuria Union. Upazila BNP convener Harun Jomaddar was present there at that time. It is alleged that he helped Awami League leader Zulfiqar escape. On the other hand, Kamal Howlader, son of BNP leader Shawkat Howlader, forbade the police from arresting UP member Mizan in Kaleskathi. He also threatened to protest against the police if UP member Mizan was arrested. There are numerous such allegations against BNP leaders to prevent the arrest of fascist accomplices.
Accused Upazila BNP convener Harun Or Rashid Jamaddar said, "I did not prohibit the police from making arrests. The police will do the police's work and I will do my work."
Upazila BNP member secretary Nasir Hawlader expressed his anger over the police's actions and said that while arrests are being made in other police stations across the country under Operation Devil Hunt, no devils have been arrested in Bakerganj Police Station. He requested the police to inform the district and upazila BNP leaders about those leaders if any BNP leader forbids the police from arresting the fascists' associates.
He also said, "We BNP leaders do not interfere in any police activities. However, it is also regrettable if the police do not arrest those who create anarchy," he commented.
Bakerganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Shafiqul Islam said that 5 people were arrested in Operation Devil Hunt on Friday and Saturday. However, when asked how many people were arrested in Operation Devil Hunt from February 8 to February 15, he said that he would provide the information later. He also said that even if the accused in a case is arrested, they will be included in the Devil Hunt. At the same time, he said that the police and joint forces have not conducted any operation in Bakerganj in the ongoing Operation Devil Hunt.
Barisal Correspondent
