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Security crackdown intensifies to detain potential troublemakers before polls
Police set up 1,845 checkpoints nationwide
Law enforcement agencies have launched nationwide drives to detain individuals suspected of being potential troublemakers ahead of the 12 February parliamentary election.
The operations are being carried out based on lists prepared by the Special Branch (SB), sources said.
The lists had earlier been sent to district superintendents of police and deputy commissioners of metropolitan police.
Those arrested during the drives are being recorded under “Operation Devil Haunt Phase-2”.
According to sources, the lists include leaders and activists of the Awami League and its associate bodies, illegal arms holders, identified extortionists, top terrorists, arms dealers, identified drug dealers, and individuals who have previously led mob violence, among others.
Police Headquarters has instructed district and metropolitan division chiefs to bring possible troublemakers to justice before polling day to prevent any disruption.
As part of heightened security, the police have already set up 1,845 check posts at key points across the country.
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Police Headquarters said that 1,482 motorcyclists were prosecuted for various offences on Saturday.
Updated figures for Sunday are expected to be available today.
Police data shows that 280 people were arrested under Operation Devil Haunt Phase-2 on Saturday, during which 36 firearms were recovered.
Between 13 December and Saturday, a total of 25,702 people were arrested under Phase-2 of the operation, while 725 firearms were seized.
When contacted, Assistant Inspector General of Police AHM Shahadat Hossain told the Daily Sun that he was not aware of any specific drive being conducted against potential election troublemakers.
“I am not aware of the SB lists having been sent to the unit chiefs,” he said. “But we always carry out drives to arrest criminals.”