'Operation Devil Hunt Phase 2' set to begin; MP candidates to get licenced firearms back: Adviser
Law enforcement agencies have been instructed to immediately arrest those involved in the attack on Osman Hadi, said the home adviser, adding that no one linked to the incident would be spared.
Highlights
- Operation Devil Hunt Phase 2 to be launched immediately to recover looted, illegal weapons
- National election candidates to be eligible for firearm licences upon request
- MP candidates to get back previously handed over licensed firearms
- Special security measures taken for July Uprising frontline fighters
- Dedicated committee formed to assess and ensure their security
The interim government has decided to immediately launch "Operation Devil Hunt Phase 2" to intensify operations against what it described as fascist terrorists and to recover looted and illegal firearms, Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said today (13 December).
After an urgent law and order meeting of the ministry at the Secretariat, a day after the gun attack on Inqilab Mancha Spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi, he said that ongoing operations to recover illegal weapons would be further strengthened and expedited.
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Previously, the government launched the nationwide security operation, titled "Operation Devil Hunt", on 8 February following a violent attack - allegedly carried out by people loyal to the previous Awami League regime - on students and civilians in Gazipur on 7 February.
Regarding security for the upcoming national election candidates, the home adviser said that until now, firearms had been issued only to government officials. "Those who participate in the election and seek firearms will now also be given weapon licences."
He added that if any election candidates had earlier handed over their licensed weapons to the authorities, those firearms would be returned to them.
Jahangir also said the Ministry of Home Affairs and the interim government have expressed deep sorrow over the attack on Sharif Osman Hadi, a frontline fighter of the July Uprising, stressing that the incident is being treated with the highest priority.
Law enforcement agencies have been instructed to immediately arrest those involved in the attack, he said, adding that no one linked to the incident would be spared.
The adviser further said the government is firmly committed to ensuring the safety of frontline fighters of last year's July Uprising, for whom special security arrangements have already been taken.
"To ensure their security, we have formed a small committee. The committee will assess the situation and take necessary measures," he said.
Expressing optimism, he said he hoped the perpetrators would be brought to book very soon, and called for public cooperation to help law enforcement agencies carry out their duties effectively.
Regarding the motive behind the attack on Hadi, who is currently undergoing treatment at the capital's Evercare Hospital in critical condition, the adviser said the government believes it was aimed at disrupting the upcoming 13th national election.
"The interim government will prevent any attempts to obstruct the national election and will deal with such acts firmly," he said.
