Md. Selim, Noakhali

On the first day of Operation 'Devil Hunt', joint forces conducted a raid in Hatiya , an isolated island upazila of Noakhali, and arrested seven people, including a former UP chairman and union Awami League president.

The accused were produced before the judicial court around noon on Sunday (February 9). Earlier, they were arrested in raids conducted in various places in Hatia on Saturday night.

The arrested are Alauddin Azad (64), former chairman of Charishwar Union in Hatia Upazila, Saddam Hossain (26), son of Belal Uddin of Ward No. 1 of Hatia Municipality, Abul Kalam Bitu (44), son of the late Abdus Shahid of Ward No. 3, Azim Uddin (31), son of Alauddin of Adarshgram of Nijhum Dwip Union, Sirajul Islam Prakash Rakchan (24), son of Mohin Uddin of Tamruddi Union, Abdul Majed Palash (43), and Abdul Zaher (39), sons of Haji Abdul Qayyum.

According to the operation sources, members of the Navy, Coast Guard, Naval Police and police conducted a joint operation in Hatia Upazila of Noakhali and arrested Azad, former chairman of Charishwar Union No. 5, from Ward No. 2 of Ochkhali Puran Bazar. Later, the joint forces conducted operations at various places and arrested 6 more people. A sharp knife with a plastic handle, a sharp axe, two sharp knives with wooden handles and three long swords were recovered in the operation.

Hatia Police Station OC AKM Ajmal Huda said that this was the first operation of Hatia Police Station after the Home Ministry announced 'Operation Devil Hunt'. The arrestees were arrested and handed over to the Noakhali Chief Judicial Magistrate Court around noon on Sunday. At the same time, a joint operation by the Navy, Coast Guard, Naval Police and police is continuing.