The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Over 14,000 people, including leaders and activists of mainstream political parties, have been arrested by law enforcing agencies following the anti-crime crackdown launched across the country on May 28.

A press release issued by the Police headquarters yesterday said 1,679 people were arrested in the past 24 hours.The law enforcers also recovered

17 firearms, nine hand bombs, five cocktails and 53 rounds of bullet during the period, it added.

Besides, 41 motorbikes were seized for not having valid documents and 365 cases were filed under the Motor Vehicle Act during the last 24 hours.

Several hundred activists of Awami League and BNP, some municipal chairmen and members of local government were among those rounded up by the joint forces.

Police said the operation, part of the month-long special anti-crime drive targeting "terrorists, wanted criminals, gangsters and extortionists", was aimed at improving law and order situation ahead of the general elections scheduled for December this year.

In Nator, police arrested four alleged extremists from different areas in Naldanga Police station Wednesday night.

Police said four arrested, Arif, Quddus, Jaher Ali and Masud, were being interrogated in connection with police killing and arms looting incident at Taherpur in Rajshahi.

In Jhenidah, Police arrested four miscreants from Natun Hat Khola road in the town Thursday

Four arrested were identified as Omar, Khokon, Rahman and Arun, all residents of Khajura pourashava.

In Faridpur, the Joint Forces arrested three businessmen along with 33,000 litres of fuel and edible oil from Boalmari upazila headquarters on Tuesday midnight. They stocked the fuel and edible oil for smuggling out the country.

They also arrested owners of the godowns Shibu Adhikari, Bishnu Adhikari and Nishik Adhikari for hoarding the fuel and oil.

The arrested were sent to the jail. A case was filed against them under the Emergency Power Rules.