DHAKA — The Bangladesh government has said it has not taken any formal decision to launch a new nationwide joint operation similar to the controversial “Operation Clean Heart” of 2002, while coordinated law-enforcement drives against crime, extortion and drug-related activities are set to continue and intensify.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Thursday that ongoing operations involving police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), the Special Response Battalion (SRB) and Ansar are part of the regular law-enforcement process.

“There is no formal decision to conduct a joint operation,” the minister said, adding that coordinated activities to combat terrorism, extortion and drugs would be strengthened further. The minister made the remarks after unveiling the foundation plaque for the new headquarters of the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party in Tejgaon, Dhaka.

His comments came amid growing discussion over whether the government might undertake a large-scale security campaign following reports of extortion, land grabbing and other criminal activities in different parts of the country.

Salahuddin also ruled out plans for a special operation modeled on the 2002 “Operation Clean Heart.” He said the government was not considering establishing a separate joint force for such a campaign and described the ongoing coordination among law-enforcement agencies as part of their regular activities.

Alleged Criminal Networks

Recent media reports have also highlighted an alleged list of people involved in extortion and land or property grabbing in Dhaka. A report published by The Daily Inqilab said a list reportedly prepared by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police identified 1,536 people allegedly involved in land grabbing, footpath occupation and extortion. The report said 1,252 were identified as active extortionists and 278 as alleged patrons or facilitators. It further claimed that 230 of the 278 alleged patrons were current or former leaders or activists of the BNP or its affiliated organisations.

Those figures have not been independently established here as an official DMP publication, and political affiliations mentioned in such reports should be treated as allegations rather than established findings.

Law-Enforcement Operations to Continue

The government says police and other security agencies will continue working together against extortion, drugs, terrorism and other crimes. Salahuddin said law-enforcement personnel found negligent in their duties or involved in criminal activities could face departmental and legal action, including criminal cases where allegations are proved. The current approach therefore involves strengthening coordination among existing agencies rather than announcing a new operation under the name “Operation Clean Heart.”

The original Operation Clean Heart was launched in October 2002 and involved the military in a nationwide anti-crime campaign. Human Rights Watch later documented allegations of deaths in custody and other human-rights abuses associated with the operation. The government’s latest position, however, is that no new campaign modeled on that operation has been approved.

CHATTOGRAM – Water Resources Minister and BNP Joint Secretary General Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee described Awami League (AL) as a banned political organization, asserting that the party is endeavoring to destabilize society through organizing ‘flash processions’ across multiple locations. Such activities will be dealt with both political and administrative measures, he said.

“Efforts by the banned Awami League to provoke civil unrest via flash processions in Chattogram will be handled through political and administrative channels. It is imperative that we prevent them from engaging in any form of unlawful conducts, anarchic behavior, or terrorist activities,” he stated. He told journalists following a special consultation meeting on the district’s law and order situation at the Chattogram Circuit House this afternoon.

Emphasizing the significance of the meeting on the law and order, Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee said, “This is precisely why today’s gathering—a session of the District Law and Order Coordination Committee—proved to be so vital. We engaged in comprehensive discussions and formulated decisions in collaboration with administrative officials and elected public representatives to mitigate concerns including theft, mugging, robbery, snatching, illegal firearms, and narcotics trafficking. Our objective is to guarantee that the district maintains effective coordination and stability in the forthcoming period.”

Matters such as illegal firearms, narcotics trafficking, hill cutting, and unauthorized sand extraction are receiving equal attention alongside general law and order concerns, the Water Resources Minister said, “Currently, we find ourselves obligated to implement certain stringent measures”.

“For the people’s welfare and to fulfill their requirements, we are directing our efforts toward particular initiatives—especially the confiscation of illegal firearms, the elimination of narcotics operations, and the prevention of hill cutting and sand extraction activities. We have recognized that these practices frequently contribute to the deterioration of law and order conditions. We have thoroughly examined these issues and are implementing suitable interventions,” he said.

He further stated, “With profound dedication to our responsibilities, and guided by the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, we have implemented targeted measures to resolve the situation and strengthen law and order—particularly throughout Chattogram city and the surrounding district. InshaAllah, the residents of this region will shortly witness the positive outcomes of these endeavors.”

Earlier, Water Resources Minister Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee joined a view exchanging meeting on law and order circumstances as the chief guest. Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Jahidul Islam Mian presided over the event.

Ershad Ullah, MP, Sarwar Jamal Nizam, MP, Abu Sufian, MP, and Humam Quader Chowdhury, accompanied by Chattogram Divisional Commissioner Dr. Md. Ziauddin, Chattogram Range DIG Md. Abdul Quddus Chowdhury, and Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Hasan Md. Shawkat Ali, among others, spoke at the programme.