The New Nation - Internet Edition

Bdnew24.com, Dhaka

The home ministry has asked the police to provide protection for judges' residences and their personal security outside their homes in line with a proposal from the law ministry, an official said yesterday.

The order came at a meeting of the special committee on law and order, chaired by home adviser MA Matin and attended by home adviser Hassan Ariff and local government adviser Anwarul Iqbal.

The committee decided not to provide any government illuminations for the March 26 Independence Day celebrations to ensure an uninterrupted power supply for the upcoming boro season.

The meeting also discussed a possible amendment to the Foreigners Act 1946. Officials have been directed to submit a final report regarding the entrance and exit of foreigners to and from the country.

The special committee decided to allow all first class government officials a licence for small arms on appeal.

The meeting also decided to extend the time limit to June 30 for depositing banned fire arm models used by security guards of banks.

Permission was given to hold the convention of the Sector Commanders Forum, while the Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA) was also given the go ahead to hold a convention.

A further order gave the go-ahead to evict slum dwellers living on government owned land throughout the country.

Regarding a recent spike in recorded crime, including a spate of murders in Dhaka and elsewhere, the home secretary said: "Officials from the police informed the meeting that these were isolated incidents."

The home secretary added that the police have been directed to increase its activity to ensure all types of crime was under control.