Staff Reporter :
Amid widespread controversy, the weeklong crackdown launched by police on suspected militants across the country ended on Friday.
According to police headquarters sources, at least 194 suspected militants and 14,376 other alleged criminals have been arrested in the last seven days of the countrywide special drive.
In the wake of recent spate of target killings, including that of SP Babul Aktar’s wife, the police department began the weeklong special drive against what they termed ‘militants’ from June 10 and continued till yesterday morning.
Among the total 194 militants, 151 are members of JMB, seven JMJB, 21 Hizb-ut-Tahrir, six ABT, three Ansar-Al-Islam, four Allahar Dal, one Harkatul Jihad and one of Afghan expatriate militant group, the sources said.
When contacted Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Friday said the people heaved a sigh of relief following the weeklong countrywide special drive against what he termed ‘militants’.
“Around 13,000 people were arrested in connection with various criminal activities, including militancy, in the last seven days,” he told The New Nation.
Replying to query, he rejected outright saying there was no arrest business during the drive. “None has been arrested intentionally,” Kamal said.
Officials said, the anti-militancy operation was launched as the police were convinced that militants have gained ground and that’s why they could go as far as attacking a police family.
Apart from the police, elite force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) also took part in the operation.
Besides, members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) also joined the drive in the bordering areas.
Over the last two years or so, suspected militants have attacked and killed university professors, writers, publishers, secular bloggers, gay rights activists, foreigners, policemen and members of religious minorities, including Shia and Sufi Muslims, Christians and Hindus.
At least seven people have become victims of such targeted killings since May 1. They include a Christian grocer and a Hindu priest.
In the face of heavy criticism over the mass arrests across the country, police said their weeklong special crackdown focused on militants only.
On a normal day, some 1000 to 1100 people are arrested every day across the country, according to a police official.
Amid widespread controversy, the weeklong crackdown launched by police on suspected militants across the country ended on Friday.
According to police headquarters sources, at least 194 suspected militants and 14,376 other alleged criminals have been arrested in the last seven days of the countrywide special drive.
In the wake of recent spate of target killings, including that of SP Babul Aktar’s wife, the police department began the weeklong special drive against what they termed ‘militants’ from June 10 and continued till yesterday morning.
Among the total 194 militants, 151 are members of JMB, seven JMJB, 21 Hizb-ut-Tahrir, six ABT, three Ansar-Al-Islam, four Allahar Dal, one Harkatul Jihad and one of Afghan expatriate militant group, the sources said.
When contacted Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Friday said the people heaved a sigh of relief following the weeklong countrywide special drive against what he termed ‘militants’.
“Around 13,000 people were arrested in connection with various criminal activities, including militancy, in the last seven days,” he told The New Nation.
Replying to query, he rejected outright saying there was no arrest business during the drive. “None has been arrested intentionally,” Kamal said.
Officials said, the anti-militancy operation was launched as the police were convinced that militants have gained ground and that’s why they could go as far as attacking a police family.
Apart from the police, elite force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) also took part in the operation.
Besides, members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) also joined the drive in the bordering areas.
Over the last two years or so, suspected militants have attacked and killed university professors, writers, publishers, secular bloggers, gay rights activists, foreigners, policemen and members of religious minorities, including Shia and Sufi Muslims, Christians and Hindus.
At least seven people have become victims of such targeted killings since May 1. They include a Christian grocer and a Hindu priest.
In the face of heavy criticism over the mass arrests across the country, police said their weeklong special crackdown focused on militants only.
On a normal day, some 1000 to 1100 people are arrested every day across the country, according to a police official.
