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Combing operations against outlaws soon
 [Bangla Daily Star] The government is about to begin another round of combing operations in the nation's south-western districts to curb the recent increase in criminal activities by outlawed parties. Highly placed sources told The Daily Star that operations will commence shortly after the State Minister for Home Shamsul Haque Tuku visits Khulna on March 16. The operations are a response to the non-fatal bomb attack on Khulna's Phultala upazila Chairman Sarder Alauddin Mithu on March 6. The state minister said, "In the wake of rising of criminal activities in the region, I will hold a series of meetings with law enforcement agencies in Khulna. "I will provide the necessary guidelines to root out criminal activity, especially by outlawed party men." He said the government will show zero tolerance to extremists. Fugitive outlaw party men and those released on bail from various jails have regrouped over the last year and have contributed to a slide in law and order in the region. Over 100 chairmen of upazila and union parishads in 10 districts of Khulna division have left their localities since the bomb attack. Many are reported to have filed general diaries with police seeking protection, said sources at intelligence agencies. Ashraful Alam Khan, chairman of Batiaghata upazila parishad and organising secretary of Khulna district Awami League said, "Chairmen in seven unions of my upazila have shifted their families to rented premises in Khulna city, out of fear of being killed by listed outlaws." Rupsha Upazila Parishad Chairman Sheikh Ali Akbar said notorious outlaws are moving freely and making death threats to various professionals. Monirul Hasan Bappi, chairman of Srifaltala union under Rupsha upazila, said he has received three death threats over his cellphone in the past month. DIG of Khulna Range police Sheikh Himayetuddin said, "We are on the alert and we have taken adequate measures to capture the criminals and outlaws." Posted by: Fred 2010-03-13 |
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