Police detained 624 people in Comilla for questioning over alleged involvement in criminal activities during a coordinated drive across all 18 police stations in the district on Wednesday night.
Lutfur Rahman, additional superintendent of police and media officer of Comilla District Police, said the detainees were being questioned and that legal action would follow after police verified the information gathered.
He said the recent involvement of adolescents in various criminal activities has been having a negative impact on society.
Following the directives of Superintendent of Police Anisuzzaman, simultaneous raids were conducted across the district, targeting areas known for harassment and disorderly activities by youths, including various locations in Comilla city and areas under the respective police stations.
Senior district police officials also took part in the operation, Lutfur said.
He said necessary legal action would be taken after verifying the detainees’ previous involvement in criminal activities.
District police plan to conduct such drives regularly to prevent adolescents from becoming involved in crime, he added.
Concerns over the activities of “teen gangs” in Comilla resurfaced following the murder of 13-year-old Opratim, son of Comilla University teacher Nahida Begum. Police launched a major operation following the incident.
Meanwhile, 17 detainees allegedly escaped from a holding room at Daudkandi police station on Wednesday night after breaking down the door.
Lutfur said the incident occurred because the room had become overcrowded. Locals later caught the escapees and brought them back to the police station.
He said the incident took place amid a gathering of people at the station who had come to inquire about the mass detentions.