Police in Bangladesh have arrested around 5000 people including 85 militants in a crackdown on militants during the last 3 days.
The crackdown began Friday morning in the wake of a string of targetted killings, specially the wife of a crime-burster senior police officer last week. Police sources said 2128 criminals including 48 suspected militants were nabbed since yesterday which include 47 JMB activists and 1 Ansarullah Bangla Team member. Around 3192 including 37 suspected militants were detained on Friday.
While most of those detained are wanted in various criminal cases like drugs, arms, etc, the list includes activists from the opposition jamaat-e-islami and its students wing.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said the government will do everything possible to bring the culprits to book. while linking the killings to the opposition.
The BNP has said the crackdown is an attempt to repress the opposition. At least 47 people have been violently killed since the beginning of last year.
The victims include secular writers, bloggers, rights activists, and minority community members and international aid workers.