Police, for the first time, are preparing to investigate "financial crime" with personnel specifically trained for the pur-

The police department has suggested formation of a special unit styled "Economic Crime Cell" (ECC). which will mainly deal with currency forgery. firoduct counterfeiting, banking rauds, and other economic crimes. Home Ministry officials said.

It wants at least 65 personnel for the cell, to be headquartered in the capital, with one unit in each of the seven police ranges and the Railway Police. Such cells exist in countries like the US and Thailand, investigators of the proposed cell may be sent to those countries for training, they said.

The ECC will operate under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). An officer of the rank of Special Superintendent will be in charge of the cell at the headquarters.

The ECC officials will investigate such crimes after receiving complaints or on their own. Immediate recruitment is "highly unlikely". Officials say they are planning "internal reshuffle" to find officers for the cell.

For an effective coordination. they have planned a complete computerisation connected through the Local Area Network (LAN).

The Home Ministry is already examining a Tk 2.5 crore project proposal from the police headquarters in this regard.

Dhaka and Chittagong will get priority with as many as six inspectors each. The rest five ranges will get three each. Inspectors and officers senior to them will make up half of the total manpower in each cell, according to the proposal.

The move was taken following a Finance Ministry proposal last year when charges of massive manipulation were made against stock market operators.

Police officials said the ECC network will also help the special units dealing with trafficking of women and children.