131 cops held for extortion, criminal activities

State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfozzaman Babar told this to the House Tuesday in reply to a question from Jatiya Party (JP) lawmaker GM Quader.

Of the total accused, 23 were fined or sent to jail after trial, he added.

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In reply to a question from ruling BNP lawmaker Helaluzzaman Talukdar Lalu (Bogra-7), he said the government has given arms license to 15,264 people in the last ten years.

Of the total, highest arms license to 3,195 people were given in 1997 following 2,962 in 1998 and in 2001 while lowest 95 till June 20 this year.

He also informed the House that arms license to 2,574 people were given in 2000, about 2,448 in 1999, some 525 in 1996, a total of 338 in 2004, about 108 in 2003 and 102 in 2002.

UNB adds, Replying to MM Shaheen (BNP-Moulvibazar), he said 19 members of elite Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) were awarded BPM, BPM (Service), PPM and PPM (Service) medals for their outstanding performances while taking part in risky and courageous drives.

Apart from this, 3,402 other Rab personnel were awarded Tk 933,301 for discharging duties with utmost sincerity and honesty, the state minister said.

He told MA Hashem (BNP-Noakhali) that at present, there are 452 police outposts in the country and the government would set up more such outposts considering the prevailing situation.