In response to the ongoing protests, clashes, vandalism, skirmishes, and arson related to the quota reform movement, law enforcement agencies across Bangladesh have initiated a series of widespread raids, instilling a chilling effect among the populace.

In the capital city, a strategic approach has been implemented by the law enforcers, dividing the city into distinct zones for targeted operations.

Sources involved in these raids describe the tactic: when an area is identified, hundreds of law enforcement personnel encircle it to prevent anyone from escaping.

They secure all exits and then proceed to search various homes based on intelligence information to apprehend suspects. This coordinated effort is termed a "block raid."

While law enforcement agencies maintain that their focus is on arresting those responsible for the violence connected to the movement, investigations into the apprehended individuals reveal a different picture.

A significant proportion of those detained are leaders and activists from the BNP, Jamaat, and other allied parties participating in the movement. Additionally, individuals from various professions and students have also been caught in the dragnet.

What did the police say about the raid?

Police officials said that they are conducting raids in those areas which had experienced the highest levels of violence during last week’s violent protest.

They have received explicit instructions to adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards suspected BNP-Jamaat leaders believed to be fueling the unrest. These leaders are being actively targeted and arrested as part of the ongoing operation, sources confirmed.

Liton Kumar Saha, Joint Commissioner (Crime) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, confirmed this approach to daily Prothom Alo, stating, "Our operations are ongoing to apprehend those involved in violence across various areas of the capital. These operations will continue until we identify every individual involved in each incident of violence."

Recent data compiled from various metropolitan, district, and police stations across the country paints a stark picture of the situation.

In the past 10 days, a total of 555 cases have been registered across 53 metropolitan and district areas, including Dhaka.

New information reveals an additional 22 cases outside Dhaka and 8 more within the capital, bringing the total number of cases in Dhaka to 209.

Meanwhile, at least 6,264 individuals were arrested across the country over the past 10 days (July 17-26). The intensity of these operations is evident in the fact that 765 of these arrests occurred within a mere 48-hour period between Thursday night and yesterday afternoon.

In Dhaka alone, the total number of arrests during this 10-day period has reached a staggering 2,416, with 207 of those occurring during the recent intensified crackdown.It's worth noting that many of those detained are also facing charges related to previous cases.

Fears and intimidation

A particularly notable incident occurred in the early hours of last Thursday night when a joint operation employing the "block raid" strategy was executed in the Shahinbagh area of the capital.

Residents reported the unsettling presence of helicopters hovering overhead, their powerful lights illuminating the streets below and causing widespread fear among the local population.

HM Azimul Haque, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of the Tejgaon Division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), clarified yesterday that the recent operations in Shahinbagh were part of ongoing efforts to maintain order in different areas of the city.

However, he denied any connection between the police operation and the reported helicopter activity in the area.

Reports of a similar "block raid" in the Bashundhara area on Thursday night emerged, accompanied by a preemptive warning from the police for residents to remain indoors after 5 pm.

As the evening progressed, law enforcement presence intensified, and a video surfaced online depicting officers firing from below while others filmed the operation from above.

Rajan Kumar Saha, Assistant Commissioner of the Badda Zone of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, confirmed the operation's involvement of the army and BGB, stating that its purpose was solely to apprehend individuals involved in violence.

He denied any knowledge of shooting incidents related to the filming of the operation.

Systematically targeting oppositions

Yesterday, the BNP alleged that government-affiliated “armed civilians” and law enforcement agencies have jointly assaulted the protesting students and are now employing 'block raids' to indiscriminately arrest BNP and other opposition party leaders, activists, and ordinary citizens in an attempt to conceal the violence.

The BNP also claimed that many of those detained are being tortured in custody without being brought before a court.

Among the BNP central leaders who have been arrested so far are Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Zahiruddin Swapan, Aman Ullah Aman, Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Shahid Uddin Chowdhury, Rashiduzzaman Millat, Sultan Salauddin, Rafiqul Islam, Aminul Haq, Nasiruddin Ahmed Asim, and Nippon Roy Chowdhury.

Detainees from Jamaat-e-Islami include Syed Abdullah Md. Taher, Mia Golam Parwar, and Mubarak Hossain. Additionally, Andalib Rahman (Partha), chairman of the Bangladesh National Party (BNP), Ehsanul Huq, chairman of the National Party and spokesperson for the 12-party alliance, and dental surgeon Sakhawat Hossain have also been arrested.

In a statement, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that approximately 3,000 BNP leaders and activists have been arrested.

He accused the ruling party and law enforcement agencies of using excessive force, including gunfire, tear gas, rubber bullets, and sound grenades, to suppress student protests, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries.

He stated that the BNP has supported the student movement and condemned the "block raids" used to arrest party members, activists, and students.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Deputy Commissioner (Media) Md. Faruk Hossain told daily Prothom Alo that "block raids" are being conducted based on video footage analysis, CCTV recordings, and intelligence information.

“The army and BGB are providing support, and these operations will continue indefinitely,” he said, adding that the helicopters seen during the raids were deployed by RAB to assist in the operations.

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