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Bangladesh to act against Islamists ahead of polls
06 Dec 2008 11:10:37 GMT
 Source: Reuters
DHAKA, Dec 6 (Reuters) - The head of Bangladesh's interim government asked security forces on Saturday to be on alert against underground Islamist groups trying to disrupt elections scheduled for Dec. 29.

Fakhruddin Ahmed's call came a day after security officials said intelligence reports suggested that the banned Jammat-ul-Mujahideen was planning to attack government buildings ahead of the elections.

"Be vigil against Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen and other ultra extremists and act to destroy their nefarious design against the upcoming elections," Ahmed told officials in northern Rangpur, 360 km (225 miles) northwest of the capital Dhaka.

The group has been campaigning to turn mostly Muslim Bangladesh into an Islamic country based on sharia law.

The group was blamed for a series of bombings across the country between August and December 2005, killing at least 30 people including judges, police and journalists.

Since then, officials say, the JuM has been trying to re-group.

Last month security forces raiding a JuM hideout, arrested a leader and seized 70 kg (155 lbs) of explosives and 150 grenade shells.

The Dec. 29 vote will cap nearly two years of emergency rule by the interim authority, which took over in January 2007 and launched a crackdown on political corruption.

(Reporting by Nizam Ahmed; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani)


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Last updated:Sat Dec 6 11:11:55 2008