Bangladesh Army on Monday claimed that the incidents of mob justice, extortion, theft and murder had come down across the country in the last 50 days since December 28 compared to previous two months due to its operations.
鈥樷�otspots for crimes across the country have already been identified and those points are under 24/7 surveillance,鈥� colonel staff of military operations directorate at the army headquarters Colonel Md Shafiqul Islam said while briefing reporters at Dhaka Cantonment.
Providing statistics, Colonel Shafiqul said that incidents of extortion, which previously stood at 250, had then dropped to 110; theft cases, which numbered around 850, had fallen to below 600; and murders, which were over 350, had then reduced to 120.
Regarding the recent abduction of several workers in Lama, Bandarban, he confirmed that the army, in collaboration with the police, Border Guard Bangladesh and Ansar forces, was actively engaged in the rescue operation.
He said that around 20 labourers had been abducted by a miscreants group, which was believed to have demanded ransom for their release.
In response to a question about the Kuki-Chin National Front, also known as the Bom Party, insurgents in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Colonel Shafiqul Islam stated that the army鈥檚 patrols had effectively curbed their activities.
He revealed that two Kuki-Chin camps were destroyed in a recent operation and 11 families displaced by the insurgents were safely returned to their homes with the help of the army. Operation against Kuki Chin had been continued.
When asked about the army鈥檚 efforts to gain public trust, Colonel Shafiqul stressed that the military acted impartially and maintained a presence alongside the people.
鈥榃e have always worked to earn the trust of the people by being neutral and supportive.鈥�
During the army-led joint force operations from December 28 last year to February 16 this year, their drives resulted in the seizure of 172 illegal firearms and 527 rounds of ammunition, he claimed.
During the last one month, joint operations led to the arrest of 334 drug dealers and people involved in narcotics trafficking.
A significant amount of illegal drugs, including yaba, phensedyl and illicit alcohol, was also seized in the last one month, he said and added that 2,142 people linked to various crimes were also arrested during the last one month till February 16.
In addition to its law enforcement operations, the army continues to
maintain communal harmony, ensure the safety of foreign diplomats and embassies, uphold peace in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, and secure the FDMN camp area in Cox鈥檚 Bazar, he added.
