Law enforcement agencies have claimed to establish full control in the much-discussed Jungle Salimpur area of Sitakunda in Chattogram following a joint operation.
Authorities also plan to set up two security camps, one each for police and the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), to maintain security in the vast area.
Ahsan Habib Palash, deputy inspector general (DIG) of the Chattogram Range, announced the development while speaking to journalists this afternoon.
However, police could not detain Md Yasin, leader of the “Yasin Bahini,” who is considered a dominant figure in the Jungle Salimpur–Ali Nagar area, as he fled during the drive, the DIG said.
“Our operation is ongoing. A total of 3,200 members from Rab, police, army, BGB and APBn are participating. We have been working here since dawn,” the police official said.
“Our main focus was to establish our authority in this vast area, and we have been able to do that. From today, two camps of the police and Rab will start operating here to secure the area,” he added.
Law enforcement agencies launched the joint operation at dawn today with heavy equipment.
The DIG said the authorities would request the divisional administration to implement previously planned development initiatives in the area.
“We will request the divisional commissioner and the administration to quickly implement the plans they had taken earlier for this area. You cannot even imagine how large this area actually is,” he said.
According to him, several weapons were recovered during the drive and around 15 people were detained, though the exact number could not immediately be confirmed due to poor mobile network coverage in many parts of the area.
Divisional Commissioner Dr Ziauddin said the operation had restored administrative control in the locality.
“The administrative authority that needed to be set up here has now been established. The government had earlier taken development plans surrounding this area, and now we will begin implementing them,” he told journalists.
When asked how security would be ensured for the camps in the hilly terrain, DIG Ahsan told, "If necessary, we will even deploy cannons here to ensure the security of the camps."
Chattogram District Police Superintendent Nazir Ahmed said multiple teams were involved in the drive.
“Ten teams are working here. Our operation is still ongoing and it will continue until the afternoon,” he told.
FP/MI
Bus–motorcycle collision leaves 3 dead, several injured in Ctg 
37,567 women-run families to receive family card on Tuesday
Fuel shortage hits petrol pumps across country, long queues at stations
Israel strikes oil depots in Tehran; Iran attacks Haifa refinery
Eight fuel tankers arrive at Ctg Port
No reason to panic over petrol, octane supplies
245 flights cancelled from Dhaka in a week
