Photo : Collected
Dhaka Metropolitan Police has taken special measures to prevent terrorists who caused havoc under the guise of the quota movement from fleeing Dhaka. Various terminals, long-distance buses, private cars, and other vehicles in the capital are under special surveillance. Alongside uniformed police, plainclothes officers are maintaining a strong presence at entry and exit points of Dhaka. They are conducting extensive searches at checkpoints.
Meanwhile, about 200 cases have been filed in the capital so far. And 2,100 people have been arrested.
Biplob Kumar Sarkar, Joint Commissioner (Operation) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), said that DMP is planning to ensure that those who engaged in violence during the quota reform movement cannot leave Dhaka city.
He said, “For the past two-three days, the terrorists have been in hiding. But our block raids are ongoing. Besides block raids, police operations are continuing in Dhaka day and night. Wherever the terrorists are, whether they flee to Cox's Bazar or Panchagarh after killing a police member, or to any corner of Bangladesh, we will arrest them and hand them over to the learned court. We will legally break the black hands of those who attacked police members."
He added, “We won't even let the terrorists leave Dhaka. That's what we're working towards.”
Biplob Kumar Sarkar said, “So far, more than 2,100 terrorists have been arrested in 200 cases. The process of filing more cases is ongoing. Among the 2,100 arrested, each had a contribution - those who were actually involved in the attack on the BTV building, those who were actually involved in the attack on the Setu Bhaban, those who were engaged in destroying the Elevated Expressway and Metro Rail.”
He mentioned, “We want to say with great resentment and firmness that this terrorist syndicate has selectively attacked the development projects that the Prime Minister has created. To hinder the journey of development that the Prime Minister has brought to the country, the terrorists have selectively attacked the places from where development activities are being conducted. They have burned all the documents.”
This senior DMP official said, "DMP will take all necessary measures to catch these Jamaat and BNP circles. DMP is working to bring each of these terrorists under the law. This work will be intensified. We are planning further so that such terrorists cannot leave Dhaka. DMP is determined to arrest and bring under the law whoever is inside Dhaka.”
According to sources, the capital Dhaka turned into a scene of destruction with attacks and arson in the name of the quota reform movement. Various government installations were attacked during the violence. Metro rail operations were halted due to attacks on metro stations. Important documents were burned in arson attacks on the Setu Bhaban and the Directorate General of Health Services. Additionally, internet services were disrupted due to arson at a data centre, and broadcasting was interrupted following an attack on Bangladesh Television in Rampura. Two metro stations were reduced to rubble by miscreants' attacks. Ticket vending machines (TVMs), monitors, and various indicator boxes were vandalised, rendering the TVM machines inoperable.
The attackers also stole computers used for passenger services and maintenance. As a result, these two stations have become unsuitable for passenger service. The extent of financial damage is not yet known, but it will take at least a year to reopen these two stations. The entire Setu Bhaban was reduced to ashes by the fire set by miscreants. At least 55 vehicles were burned in the fire. Important documents related to various projects including the Elevated Expressway and Padma Bridge were also damaged. However, the total extent of damage is not yet known. The Bridge Ministry has formed a 7-member committee to investigate this incident. Important documents of the Directorate General of Health Services were burned due to arson at the Director General's office.
Motorcycles, vehicles, and production sets were burned to ashes in the fire at the Bangladesh Television building in Rampura. 20-25 vehicles were burned. The entire country was disconnected from internet services due to arson at the data centre. In the fire at the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) building in Mirpur, the Dhaka Divisional Director's car, office, and a bus were burned. Additionally, during the ongoing movement, there has been extensive damage due to arson at the Mohakhali Toll Plaza of Dhaka Elevated Expressway, Mirpur Indoor Stadium, Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) Banasree office, and the Drug Administration building in Dhanmondi. The attackers targeted police and journalists. The attackers infiltrated the quota reform movement. Then, as part of a conspiracy to overthrow the government, they began carrying out targeted attacks. A large amount of money was needed to carry out these attacks and acts of violence. This money came from various countries and individuals.
Upon investigation, it was found that DMP's 8 Crime Divisions, Metropolitan Detective Police, Counter Terrorism, CID, and RAB's 4 battalions in Dhaka are working to arrest the terrorists who carried out the sabotage. They already have evidence of Jamaat-Shibir and BNP's involvement in the student movement. Intelligence agencies have a clear idea of who is involved and how. They obtained such information after interrogating several arrested BNP and Jamaat-Shibir leaders.
Harun Or Rashid, Chief of Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police, said, “We have collected CCTV footage from all areas. CCTV footage from many areas has also been destroyed. Additionally, various individuals are providing us with videos. We are conducting arrest operations after verifying these.”
He added, “We don't want to let any terrorist leave Dhaka. We have taken measures for that.”
Lt Colonel Munim Ferdous, Director of RAB's Legal and Media Wing, said, “Our four battalions are working to arrest the terrorists who caused havoc in Dhaka. We have arrested 228 people across the country so far. Our operation to arrest terrorists is ongoing.”
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