The government also deployed army to rescue Jamal in Fatikchhari where he is believed to be in captivity.

Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Shahidullah Khan, Additional Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Chittagong Division of police Naim Ahmed and Superintendent of Police (SP) of Chittagong district Motiur Rahman were made officers on special duty (OSD).

State Minister for Home Lutfozzaman Babar told The Daily Star that the officials failed to carry out their responsibility satisfactorily.

"We have demanded explanation from them why they failed to perform their duties," Babar said.

After Jamal was abducted on July 24, the officials repeatedly hinted his imminent release.

Basing on their comments, ministers and high government officials went public with the announcement that Jamal would be rescued soon.

On Saturday, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Shahudul Haq told the parliamentary standing committee on home ministry that police would release him from his captors within 48 hours. The deadline expired on Monday.

Home Minister Altaf Hossain Chowdhury on Sunday told the press that the government had definite information on the whereabouts of Jamal and he would be rescued soon in an operation by the joint forces.

But as police could not make any headway till yesterday, the government decided to take the punitive measures.

The law and order in the country's main port city took a tumble last month.

Apart from Jamal, criminals kidnapped four others for ransom and one of them, businessman Rezaur Rahman Zakir was killed. A wave of killings, extortions and other crimes swept the city.

The home ministry notified the punitive measures against the top police officials in a gazette.

The notification said Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) Commissioner SM Sabbir Ali was to replace the CMP commissioner, while Additional DIG of Rajshahi Shamsul Alam and Tangail SP Mahbubur Rahman would take the positions of the additional DIG and SP of Chittagong.

Our Chittagong office adds: The failure of law-enforcers to rescue Jamal despite assurance of the IGP plunged the victim's family and the business community in the city into utter frustration.

"It is quite frustrating that Jamal Uddin could not be rescued, even after assurances by the home minister and the IGP," said Farid Ahmad Chowdhury, chairman of Bangladesh Steamer Agents Association and former president of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

"Earlier, the commerce minister also vainly assured his quick rescue."

"We didn't see any reflection of the assurances of the home minister and the IGP in police activities," said SM Nurul Haq, vice-president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers' and Exporters Association.

"We are utterly disappointed as no positive development is taking place," said a relative of Jamal.

Police and Bangladesh Rifles personnel guided by senior police officials stepped up operation in Fatikchhari upazila on Sunday night.

Three senior police officials including the DIG, CMP commissioner and SP held an hour-long meeting to review the latest developments yesterday, before the punitive actions against them came.

Presently, 60 men from the district police, 50 from the CMP, five platoons of the BDR and 160 other law enforcers divided into 16 teams are conducting operation in different parts of Fatikchhari.