DHAKA (Web Desk) – In a series of controversial crackdowns, Bengali police have apprehended as many as 2,000 suspected criminals including Islamist militants.
An Anti-militant drive on Saturday seized more than 3,000 people, including suspected ordinary criminals, officials confirmed.
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Earlier on Saturday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina vowed to catch “each and every killer” to halt a wave of fatal attacks aimed at minorities.
Police confirmed that members of banned group Jamayetul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) have also been arrested.
“We have arrested 2,132 people including 48 Islamist militants on the second day of the special drive,” said Deputy Inspector General of Police A.K.M Shahidur Rahman.
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JMB is one of two local groups blamed for most of the recent killings. The government reiterates that international jihadists including Al Qaeda have no presence in Bangladesh.
It is believed that the impetus for sweeping crackdown is Hindu ashram worker who was hacked to death on Friday.
A ban imposed by home ministry compels motorcyclists not to have more than two riders.