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Arrests part of bid to maintain law and order

Says home ministry

Staff Correspondent
The home ministry said yesterday there is no political motive behind the recent arrests of 584 people across the country but that it was a routine drive to combat the deteriorating law and order situation.
It mentioned a number of incidents across the country’ as examples of deterioration of law and order including increased 'extremist' activity.
Otherincidentscited are attacks on security forces, seizing of guns from policemen and creation of
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chaos in the garment industry.
"The government wants to clearly state this arrest drive is not politically motivated or an attempt to politically undermine and harass anyone," a ministry press release said.
"Only those who have specific complaints against them are being arrested.” the release added.
"In the last 24 hours, special drives by the police and other law-en force men t agencies have arrested 584 people, who are using arms or are criminals with specific allegations tying them to a number ofcrimes,” the ministry said.
The ministry also added that the drives has been taken to combat the law and order situation that may otherwise trigger panic among the people.
The ministry said the police were directed to launch a countrywide drive to combat these crimes on May 28.
The military is helping the police in this drive.
UNB adds: The United States has sought clarification from the caretaker government on the reasons behind the arrests of political party leaders over the past several days.
"We understand that many people, including political party leaders, have been arrested over the past several days. We are seeking clarification from the government regarding the reasons behind these arrests," a spokesman for the US Embassy in Dhaka told UNB yesterday.
The spokesman said the US has consistently stated that any individual arrested and charged with a crime should be treated fairly and accorded the full range of legal and constitutional rights that meet international standards of transparency and due process.