Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, Bangladesh Mohila Parishad and residents of Banshkhali and Anowara also formed a human chain near the meeting venue of Babar.

They demanded the arrest of Aminul Islam Chowdhury alias Amin Chairman and Maruf Nizam, alleged masterminds behind the Banshkhali arson and businessman Jamal Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury abduction.

The agitating people marched towards the circuit house after arrival of the minister's motorcade, but the police barred them. The state minister's protocol officer received the memorandum later from the leaders.

Amin Chairman, brother of State Minister for Forest and Environment Jafrul Islam Chowdhury, allegedly orchestrated the Banshkhali carnage, in which 11 of a Hindu family were burnt alive on November 19, 2003.

On the other hand, Maruf Nizam, brother of ruling BNP lawmaker Sarwar Jamal Nizam, is the alleged mastermind behind Jamal abduction that took place in Anowara on July 24, 2003.

The people of Banshkhali and Anowara are demanding the arrest of the two, who have close links with the ruling BNP, for long.

BABAR'S MEETING
Babar at the meeting yesterday directed police and administration to beef up security measures during the upcoming Ramadan and Durga Puja.

He also directed authorities to keep the shrines and puja mandaps under special vigilance to check any untoward incident ahead of the upcoming Saarc summit.

The state minister was holding the meeting with the high officials of district and police administration at the circuit house conference room to review law and order in Chittagong and Sylhet divisions.

He also urged the puja organisers to make their own security arrangements, alongside the administration's measures, in and around the 1,250 puja mandaps in Chittagong.

He called upon the businesspersons to install closed-circuit TV cameras, archways and metal detectors at the important shopping complexes and markets in Chittagong and Cox's Bazar.

The meeting discussed bringing all the shrines, Qaumi madrasas and tabligue congregations in Sylhet and Chittagong under strong vigilance.

It also discussed the Rohingya refugee issue, as the Rohingyas were pushed back after several phases of repatriations.

Many Rohingyas get involved in various crimes, while some of them have links to the arms smuggling in Bandarban, the meeting was told. Moreover, some Rohingya refugees might have links to the August 17 serial blasts.

The meeting also dwelt on the smuggling of fertilisers from the country, saying the huge subsidy of Tk 1,500 crore for farmers would yield them no benefit if smuggling is not checked.

Cabinet Secretary Sadat Hossain, Home Secretary Safarraj Hossain, Inspector General of Police Abdul Quayum, Farrukh Ahmad of DGFI, Director General of

Rab Abdul Aziz, Chittagong Metropolitan Police Commissioner Majedul Haq, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dr Syed Neser Ahmed Rumi, deputy commissioners, superintendents of police, thana nirbahi officers and officers-in-charge from all the districts in Chittagong and Sylhet divisions were present.