"We are not interfering, rather we want to assist the move for reforms," Mainul told reporters after the seventh meeting of the advisers' committee on law and order at the home ministry.

Communications Adviser Maj Gen (retd) Abdul Matin, Education Adviser Aiyub Quadri, secretaries to the home, communications, health and education ministries and senior officials concerned were present at the meeting.

The law adviser said politics is still going on inside houses and discussions on reforms are taking place. The government is not obstructing these activities.

He however said there are restrictions regarding party politics and its organisational matter.

About lifting of the ban on indoor politics, Mainul said it needs a little more time to withdraw the embargo, which, he observed, is helping the reforms activities.

He said the government will decide on lifting the ban timely after discussing the matter at the highest level.

Asked why the government did not allow Awami League President Sheikh Hasina to go abroad although it allowed Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujaheed--both accused in similar cases, Mainul said the government did not take any step directly, the steps were taken through the court.

"Court's matters will move on through the process of the court. We are not supposed to play any role there," he said.

The meeting decided to direct the law enforcement agencies to maintain more caution than before while making arrests under the state of emergency law.

Officials attending the meeting said law enforcement agencies have been asked to remain alert so that no one can abuse the law taking advantage of the state of emergency.

They said from now on, an accused will not be arrested as soon as a case is filed against them. Law enforcers will arrest the accused after assessing the allegations.

Home Secretary Abdul Karim said the committee reviewed the overall law and order in the country.

The meeting decided to withdraw the restriction on the first class government officials for getting licence of firearms under the Arms Act.

"Earlier, only government officials of the rank of deputy secretary and upwards and defence officials equivalent to the rank of Major and upwards could apply for licence for firearms," Karim said.

Individuals paying minimum Tk 2 lakh in annual taxes could also apply for the licence.

Now the government is considering reducing the tax limit, he said.

The meeting decided to allow holding of the election of the Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh. It also decided to allow security lights at market places beyond business hours.