It has been a month since the interim government initiated Operation Devil Hunt on February 8, aiming to curb unrest and enhance public safety nationwide.
However, has the operation been genuinely effective? Are actual criminals being apprehended, or are minor offenders being detained merely to present the initiative as a success? More importantly, do citizens truly feel safer?
Reports from various parts of Bangladesh suggest otherwise. Crimes such as rape, robbery, and murder continue to increase, raising doubts about the operation’s impact.
On the night of February 7, members of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement were attacked near the residence of former minister AKM Mozammel Haque.
One of the critically injured victims later died. In response to the incident, the government launched Operation Devil Hunt on February 8.
Number of detainees in February
Police headquarters reported that between February 8 and 28, a total of 30,703 people were detained as part of the ongoing crackdown.
Of these, 12,500 were arrested under Operation Devil Hunt, while 19,502 were taken into custody for other criminal activities.
Although the operation is still underway, authorities have not provided any further updates this month.
What city dwellers say
Despite the ongoing operation, crime remains a pressing issue in various parts of Dhaka.
Mohammad Hasan, a resident of Mohammadpur, said: "There's some sense of security during the day, but nights still feel unsafe. Muggings continue as usual. Although police patrols have increased, crime hasn’t really declined."
Rafiqul Islam, a businessman from Chawkbazar in Old Dhaka, expressed similar frustrations: "Extortionists are still active. Occasionally, there’s a big crackdown, but within days, they return to the streets. The operation is happening, yet crime persists."
He further questioned the effectiveness of the initiative: "Perhaps the real masterminds are escaping justice. So, who is actually being arrested under Operation Devil Hunt?"
Experts’ opinions
Crime analysts argue that the crackdown has not effectively improved law and order. Instead, public anxiety over safety has only grown.
Despite the government's special operation, significant progress in security remains elusive, they note.
According to data from the Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation, cases of rape rose from 42 in January to 57 in February. Additionally, two women were raped and murdered in February. The number of gang rapes also increased, from January 15 to February 17.
Similarly, incidents of kidnappings and disappearances involving women and children climbed from 15 to 18 over the same period.
Although mob lynching cases have slightly declined, they have not ceased entirely. In January, 12 people were killed and 18 injured in mob attacks. In February, the number of fatalities dropped to eight, while 19 were injured.
Former inspector general of police Mohammad Nurul Huda emphasized that statistics do not always reflect the full picture: "There is often a gap between reported crimes and actual crimes. The real question is whether public fear has diminished. A coordinated, nationwide effort is essential to control crime and apprehend criminals."
Viral crime videos spark concern
Recent videos of robberies and thefts circulating on social media have heightened public concern.
In one incident, a gold merchant was shot dead in Dhaka’s Banasree area, and 200 gold ornaments were stolen. Footage shows robbers wielding sharp weapons while looting valuables from unsuspecting individuals.
Following a surge in such crimes, joint forces carried out a raid in Mohammadpur on February 19, resulting in the deaths of two individuals whom police identified as "known criminals."
Mohammadpur resident Asiful Islam noted that while crime has slightly declined since the operation, fear persists: "People are still anxious about what might happen, especially with Eid approaching."
According to police headquarters, 1,145 cases of robbery and theft were recorded across Bangladesh in the past six months, compared to 763 cases during the same period last year — a clear indication of rising crime rates.
AIG (Media) of Bangladesh Police Headquarters Enamul Haque Sagar emphasized that law enforcement efforts are ongoing: "We are working to bring all criminals to justice, not just under Operation Devil Hunt. No offender will be spared. Several major criminals have already been arrested as part of our nationwide crackdown."
Crime expert Professor Dr Mohammad Omar Faruk, however, warned that arrests alone will not solve the problem: "Crime has deep roots. Unless the real masterminds are brought to justice, these incidents will keep recurring. Criminals are not just from the ousted Awami League — they also operate under the protection of other political groups."
He further stressed the need for a comprehensive approach: "For this crackdown to be effective, criminals must be swiftly prosecuted to prevent them from exploiting legal loopholes. Law enforcement agencies must also maximize intelligence gathering to track down the true perpetrators."
Government’s response
While experts argue that *Operation Devil Hunt* has failed to improve law and order, the government insists otherwise.
According to the Home Ministry, crime rates have declined since the operation began. However, Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan, Member Secretary of the Law and Order Committee and Adviser to the interim government, acknowledged that the situation remains complex.
Speaking to the media recently, he said: "We are making continuous efforts. Some areas have seen improvement, while others have worsened. Major crimes like murder have decreased slightly, but incidents of robbery and petty crime have increased."
He also suggested that public concern has been amplified by misinformation: "There is more propaganda than actual crime. A few major incidents occurred consecutively, and their videos went viral on social media, fueling public panic. However, the situation is not as dire as it is being portrayed."
The government alleges that the ousted Awami League and its allies are behind this "propaganda" in an attempt to create instability.
Officials claim that these groups are engaging in "devil activism," justifying the need for Operation Devil Hunt.
Home Affairs Advisor Lt Gen (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury defended the crackdown, saying: "This operation is necessary to control the overall law and order situation and to neutralize those conspiring to disrupt national stability and public security."
He further noted that law enforcement agencies are still recovering from the challenges they faced during the July-August incidents: "They have regained significant strength since then, but it will take more time to fully stabilize the situation."
Public demands swift action
While the government asserts that the situation is under control, public anxiety remains. Law enforcement agencies have assured that Operation Devil Hunt will continue until criminals are brought to justice. However, security analysts argue that it is too early to determine the operation’s true impact.
Many citizens are questioning whether the operation is targeting only petty offenders or if the real masterminds behind criminal networks are also being apprehended. In several areas, people feel that politically connected criminals have yet to face justice.
Despite the ongoing crackdown, fear and uncertainty persist. Crime experts emphasize that beyond immediate arrests, a long-term strategy is necessary to dismantle criminal networks at their core.
Meanwhile, the public continues to wait — wondering when the true culprits will be held accountable.
