The Bangladesh government is fully committed to and engaged in carrying out an in-depth investigation into the Habiganj bomb attack and all other incidents of violence, as well, a foreign ministry spokesman said yesterday.

The spokesman made the comment in reply to a question about comments made by three leading US lawmakers regarding the Habiganj grenade attack on January 27.

The spokesman said Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has already condemned the barbaric act and assured the nation that no effort would be spared to bring the

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perpetrators to justice. She immediately constituted a high-powered five-member probe committee to run the investigation, he added.

Because of their prompt and thorough action, the alleged perpetrators have now been taken into custody, duly charge-sheeted and a prosecution process has been initiated, he said.

The spokesman said the FBI's assistance was promptly sought. Full cooperation from all those concerned in the investigation process was assured including complete access to all evidence and to all witnesses.

The FBI has held a series of consultations with authorities and, as a result, is now conducting its own investigation. Recently, an FBI team, aided by the local police administration, visited the place of occurrence and conducted interviews with suspects who have been charge-sheeted.

The US ambassador in Bangladesh has acknowledged the cooperation extended to the FBI.

The Bangladesh ambassador in Washington has also addressed a letter to each of the three lawmakers apprising them of the position, the spokesman said.

The safety and security of life of each citizen is of paramount importance to the democratically elected government. The government has made sincere efforts to live up to this responsibility.

This is reflected in the recent drastic reduction of crime and overall improvement in the law and order.

Comprehensive and continuing efforts are underway to trace and root out the perpetrators of bomb and grenade attacks and those involved in trafficking of arms, drugs and so on irrespective of party affiliation, the spokesman observed.