The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Law enforcement agencies will launch a special drive to arrest fugitive criminals and recover illegal arms across the country following the announcement of elections schedule likely to be declared on November 2.

"We will take decision as to how we will maintain law and order in the country after the announcement of the election schedule. We will take special measures to nab terrorists and recover illegal arms to ensure holding the forthcoming general polls in a peaceful manner," said Inspector General of Police Nur Mohammad while briefing journalists at the Police Headquarters yesterday.

He said fugitive terrorists, who are reportedly appearing on the eve of the parliamentary elections would also be arrested during the drive.

Asked whether any top terrorist entered the country after defacing themselves by plastic surgery, the IGP replied in the negative saying that he is not aware about such incident.

"Police have not yet found any terrorists returning from their hideouts in India on the eve of election as reported in a section of the press," he said.

Nur Mohammad said the anti-melamine drive to stop display and sale of eight brands of contaminated powder milk has been strengthened throughout the country in line with the court directives.

The brands are Sweet Baby, Yashili-1 and Yashili-2 of China Nido Fortified Instant and Anlene of New Zealand, Diploma and Red Cow of Australia, and Dano of Denmark.

He said the drive which started on Sunday would continue till the test reports from foreign experts are available.

"No one can sell or display the reported melamine-contaminated eight brands of powder milk until the expert report comes in. If we find anyone doing it, he'll be fined on the spot," he said. The IGP said during the drive on Tuesday police recovered 5835 kgs of powder milk of the banned eight brands. The maximum quantity of powder milk-4866 Kgs-was recovered from Barisal city.

Besides, the mobile courts have fined different shops Tk 4,51,500 for selling and displaying of the banned items.

Director General of RAB Hasan Mahmud Khandoker and senior police officials were present during the press conference.

The expert reports from FAO's laboratory in Bangkok are likely to be available by Sunday or Monday.

Meanwhile, the government has formed committees at district levels to review sale and marketing of powder and liquid milk and milk-based products.

According to a press release, issued by the Ministry of Health and Family on Wednesday each of five-strong monitoring committees will be headed by the deputy commissioner (DC) with the civil surgeon as the secretary.

In the wake of melamine contents found in milk powder, the ministry formed the committees Tuesday, it said.

Other members of the committee are superintendent of police, district information officer and a representative of the municipality mayor.

The committees have been tasked to ensure that proper standards are maintained while marketing milk and milk-based products.

The ministry in another press statement released yesterday said the government had been reviewing the Breast Milk Substitute (Market Regulation) Act, 1984 in a bid to up date it.