Police detained 163 people during an anti-gang drive targeting juvenile gangs in Noakhali.
The operation was carried out across various police stations in the district from Tuesday night until Wednesday morning.
The details were confirmed in a press release issued on Wednesday morning by Ahmed Pear, additional superintendent of police (Crime and Ops) of Noakhali.
Of the 163 detainees, two were shown arrested in a previous case, nine were arrested under Section 34 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and the remaining 152 were released into their families’ custody.
During the operation at Sudharam Model Police Station, four of the 28 detainees were arrested under Section 34, while 24 were released into family custody.
At Hatiya Police Station, two of the 69 detainees were shown arrested in an earlier case, five were arrested under Section 34, and 62 were released into their families’ custody.
In other areas, detainees were handed over to their families. They included 37 at Begumganj Model Police Station, nine at Senbagh Police Station, seven at Char Jabbar Police Station, five each at Sonaimuri and Kabirhat police stations, and three at Companiganj Police Station.
Noakhali District Superintendent of Police NM Nasiruddin said the drive was initiated primarily to prevent juvenile gang activities, keep adolescents away from crime, and maintain peace and public security.
Similar drives will continue regularly to ensure a safe and healthy environment for youths, he added.
Additionally, public awareness programmes involving parents, educational institutions, public representatives, and citizens from all walks of life will continue to curb criminal tendencies.
