Jungle Salimpur under 'full control', claims Ctg DIG

CHATTOGRAM, Mar 9: Law enforcement agencies have arrested 15 individuals during a large-scale joint operation in the Jungle Salimpur area of Sitakunda upazila in Chittagong district, authorities said. The operation was launched to dismantle criminal networks that had long operated in the hilly and remote region.

The operation began at around 6:00am on Monday following instructions from the Home Ministry. Nearly 4,000 members from different law enforcement agencies, including the army, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and police, took part in the drive. Officials said the operation would continue until Tuesday afternoon to ensure full control of the area.

Among the participating forces were around 800 members of the Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) and about 700 members of the Range Police, along with units from RAB and the army. Helicopters were seen patrolling the skies over Jungle Salimpur while Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and dog squads were deployed on the ground to assist in the operation.

According to sources, suspected criminals attempted to obstruct the operation by abandoning a truck on the road and damaging a culvert in the jungle to slow down the movement of the security forces. Law enforcement personnel later removed the obstacles and continued their advance into the area. As of the latest update, 15 suspects had been detained.

Chittagong Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) and Additional IGP Md. Ahsan Habib Palash said two temporary camps of the joint forces have been established in Jungle Salimpur. One camp will be operated by the Bangladesh Police and the other by RAB to maintain law and order in the area in the future.

He said that since around 2003, a group had been illegally preparing land documents and occupying and transferring land in the area while ignoring government regulations. Over time, the situation had become so difficult that even law enforcement agencies were hesitant to enter the region. Although attempts had been made to conduct operations there four times previously, they were unsuccessful. This latest drive marks the fifth attempt and has finally brought the area under control.

Chittagong Divisional Commissioner Dr. Md. Ziauddin said that with the removal of long-standing obstacles in Jungle Salimpur, the path has now opened for implementing government development plans in the area.

Authorities said the operation also aims to break the network of criminal groups linked to Chittagong's listed criminal Sajjad Ali Khan, also known as Boro Sajjad. Several groups, including the Yasin, Rokon and Ridwan groups, are believed to have operated from the area, with the Yasin Group reportedly controlling a large portion of the territory.