"We will conduct executive enquiry into the incidents," State Minister for Home Lutfozzaman Babar told journalists after a meeting of the cabinet committee on law and order.

"The enquiry will start shortly," he said.

LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan who chaired the meeting said an enquiry would take place to examine whether the incidents of death were intentional.

Available statistics show more than 80 people were killed in Rab "crossfire" since the anticrime force went into action on March 26 last year.

Sources concerned said that the meeting had discussion on the concerns expressed by European Union and others over the extra-judicial killings.

The main opposition Awami League also took a tough stance on the issue after a mid level leader of the party, Dudh Mia, was killed in crossfire last week.

Among others present in the meeting were Law Minister Moudud Ahmed, Housing and Public Works Minister Mirza Abbas, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Abdullah Al Noman, cabinet secretary, home secretary, law secretary and inspector generation of police.

The cabinet committee also discussed the organogram of Bangladesh Police. The government will adopt a new organogram for the 115,000-member police force, the meeting was told.

Other issues discussed at the meeting were police act, law and order situation, renewal of firearms' licences and withdrawal of politically-motivated cases.

The meeting was informed that the number of police stations under Dhaka Metropolitan Police will be 51 in next three years from existing 22.

Creation of separate investigation unit in police stations across the country is also under process while procedures have started for appointing 600 investigation officers.

The separate investigation units are now working in 30 police stations. Such units will be introduced in 270 other police stations in phases.