It directed the law enforcers to arrest the persons behind encroachment on government lands and building of big slums.

The advisory committee on law and order once again asked them to hunt professional and big criminals and the corrupts, instead of just going for the accused in different cases

The committee, at its second meeting yesterday, also decided not to allow any political rally, gathering or meeting in any auditorium, community centre or hall taking advantage of 'indoor politics,' meeting sources said.

This decision however will not be applicable to religious functions.

The meeting, chaired by Law Adviser Mainul Hosein at the law ministry, asked for monitoring the drive to ensure its success.

In this connection, the advisory committee asked the law enforcers to remain careful about cases lodged on political consideration.

Discouraging arrest on suspicion under Section 54 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the committee said explanation has to be given for such arrests.

"We've asked them (law enforcers) to focus on big criminals, and the nature of cases filed against them since a major objective of the present government is bringing to trial the perpetrators of crimes and corruption," Mainul told reporters after the meeting.

In reply to a question, he said permission must be taken to arrange any programme in the name of cultural function.

From now on, officials will have to inform the committee prior to evacuation of big slums. It will then take decisions so that poor slum dwellers are not victimised, meeting sources said.

The committee rather directed the law enforcers to arrest influential people who are making money by building large slums.

It asked Rajuk to study whether the evicted poor slum dwellers can be rehabilitated on government lands freed from illegal grabbers. If found feasible, Rajuk will build low cost houses on these lands with the help of members of the armed forces.

On rehabilitation of hawkers evicted from the city pavements and illegally set-up markets, the committee asked the authorities to study allowing hawkers to run their business every day on some open fields like Paltan Maidan, Muktangan and Osmany Udyan and on roads after office hours.

It also asked the commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police to look into this immediately so that the hawkers can resume normal life.

Responding to a question, the law adviser denied that the authorities are arresting leaders of both Awami League and BNP to ensure a balance. "Those who face charges of crime and corruption are being arrested irrespective of their political identities," he said.

Those present at the meeting included members of the committee Communications Adviser Maj Gen (retd) MA Matin, Education Adviser Ayub Quadri, and the inspector general of police and top officials of the ministries concerned.