Police combing operation: BNP leaders targeted after Mitford murder

• Metropolitan Youth and Student Party leaders in panic
• Preparation of list of BNP leaders by area begins to prevent extortion

Special Correspondent

The police’s ‘combing operation’ that began across the capital after the murder case of businessman Md. Sohag at Sir Salimullah Medical College (Mitford) Hospital has now intensified around local leaders and activists of BNP and its affiliates. Political involvement has been found behind the brutal murder that took place in Old Dhaka. Based on that source, the operation is underway in different areas. This information has been learned through several officials of Dhaka Metropolitan Police and intelligence sources.

Meanwhile, news of raids, surveillance and arrests at multiple police stations has spread panic among the leaders and activists of the Metropolitan Youth Dal and Chhatra Dal. Instead of bringing their murderers to justice, the current government has started a political assassination campaign targeting the entire BNP.

It is known that the recent Sohag murder case involved local youth leader Mahmudul Hasan Mohin and his associate Apu. Both are associated with Jubo Dal-Chhatra Dal politics. Immediately after the murder, they held a procession and tried to portray the incident as a mob murder. When the video of this drama went viral on social media, new anger arose.

Police sources say that after the incident, intelligence agencies investigated the political affiliations of the killers and their history of occupation in the area.

The investigation revealed that for a long time, some syndicates close to the BNP had been controlling businesses in these areas through extortion, illegal occupation, and intimidation. As a result, the police combing operation centered on Mitford is now more extensive and targeted.

Multiple sources in the Dhaka Metropolitan Police said that the police are making a list of people with political identities in each area who were involved in various crimes but were protected under the political umbrella. Special attention is being paid to areas such as Mitford, Chawkbazar, Lalbagh, Kamrangirchar, Gendaria, Azimpur, Bangshal, Islambagh, Dhupkhola, Shahid Nagar, Dayaganj, etc.

A senior police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that those who have long exerted influence in these areas through political identities are under police surveillance. It is also being taken into consideration that no innocent leaders and activists are harassed.

A former vice-president of Dhaka South Chhatra Dal said, “At the moment, no one dares to hold meetings or gatherings in Old Dhaka. Many have gone into hiding. Even leaders who were inactive earlier are now being targeted.”

There are allegations that the National Citizens Party (NCP) leaders, who are now supported by the ruling government, are using this campaign as an opportunity to retake areas where the BNP was politically strong or had control.

A local BNP leader said, “Recently, social media has been filled with extortion and misdeeds of NCP leaders. No action is being taken against them. But for some strange reason, BNP has been targeted.”

Meanwhile, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police has said that whoever is responsible for the Mitford murder will be brought to justice. Political affiliation will not influence the investigation.

However, in explaining the combing operation, the police say, “Anyone involved in extortion, encroachment or violence will be targeted. Crime, not party, is our main concern.”