'Operation Clean Heart' stillunderway: Home minister

Home Minister Altaf Hossain Chowdhury yesterday said the 'Operation Clean Heart', an anti-crime drive by the joint forces, was still underway. "Operation Clean Heart has not withdrawn or shelved, rather it has been concentrated at certain levels," he said while addressing the inaugural ceremony of 6th "Police Management and Human Rights Course" at police staff college at Mirpur.

The minister said that the joint drive of army and other law enforcing agencies yielded positive results in line with people's expectations and the government was determined to maintain the law and order.

State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfuzzaman Babar, Home Secretary Omar Faruq, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Modabbir Hossain Choudhury and Rector of Police Staff College Additional IGP Nurul Alam also spoke at the function.

The home minister said the country had never witnessed celebrations of festivals like Eid, Durbga Puja, Christmas day or New Year's day without troubles before the launching of the joint drive.

"The joint forces will act with more vigour if anyone tries to create anarchy", he said.

The minister said sound professionalism in policing is now a priority.

The six-week training course was organised for a group of 16 assistant superintendents of police (ASP) who have recently been promoted from the post of inspectors.