The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Home Adviser Maj Gen (Retd) MA Matin yesterday said the government launched the combing operation across then country to crack down on the miscreants to create peaceful environment for election in December.

"The election will be held in December and the operation is launched to ensure the peaceful atmosphere," he told journalists in reply to a query at the Secretariat.

A tight closed-door meeting on curbing serious crimes and developments over the sensational cases was held in the conference room of the Home Ministry with general Matin in the chair, at a time when joint forces are rounding up suspects across the country.

After the meeting, the Adviser informed the reporters that the progress in dealing with the sensational cases is satisfactory.

Asked about allegations that

the clampdown as political motivated, he said the idea is totally baseless as the government has no political affiliation. "Those who are being arrested in the operation are miscreants."

Venting worry over a recent spurt in criminal activities, he said the joint forces are advised to launch the operation to maintain law and order as he said the criminal activities have recently increased in the country.

About the innocent detainees, the Home Adviser said they would remain careful about making arrest during the drives, launched afresh on Friday night. "It will be very regretful if any innocent man is fallen in harassment," he said.

Replying to another question, he said the ongoing combing operation would not influence government's dialogue with the political parties.

Asked about Sheikh Hasina's treatment and allowing her to go abroad, he said Sheikh Hasina is now taking her treatment at Square Hospital, "It's a matter of the government to take the decision whether she should be sent abroad," he added.

Replying to a query, the Home Adviser said the matter of lifting the state of emergency is again dependent on government's decision. "I'm one-sixteenth of the government," he observed about the caucus of the present caretaker government.