The authorities in Bangladesh have opened investigations into tens of thousands of people in recent weeks as security forces combed through neighborhoods as part of their deadly crackdown on a student protest that had spiraled into violence. The widening legal net, confirmed in interviews with police officials and a review of records, comes as arrests surpassed 10,000 since the crackdown on protesters began two weeks ago. Charges range from vandalism and arson to theft, trespassing and damage of state property. “This is a witch hunt,” said Smriti Singh, the regional director for South Asia at Amnesty International. Conservative estimates put the death toll at more than 200, mostly students and youths.

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Persons: ”, Smriti Singh, Sheikh Hasina Organizations: South Asia, Amnesty International, Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamaat, Islami Locations: Bangladesh