Staff Correspondent

The government has banned illuminations in the capital on Independence Day in a bid to continue uninterrupted power supply for irrigation during the boro season, an official said Thursday.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the special committee on law and order, chaired by home adviser MA Matin, home ministry secretary Abdul Karim told reporters afterwards.

"A decision was taken for no illuminations on March 26 to keep power supply across the country uninterrupted during the boro season." "Illumination will not be allowed at all in Dhaka city on the day," Karim said.

The special committee meeting also asked the police to provide protection for judges' residences and their personal security outside their homes in line with a proposal from the law ministry.

The meeting, attended by home adviser Hassan Ariff and local government adviser Anwarul Iqbal, discussed a possible amendment to the Foreigners Act 1946. Officials have been directed to submit a final report regarding the entrance and exit of foreigners to and from the country.

The special committee in addition decided to allow all first class government officials a licence for small arms on appeal. The meeting also decided to extend the time limit to June 30 for depositing banned fire-arm models used by security guards of banks.

Permission was given to hold the convention of the Sector Commanders Forum, while the Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA) was also given permission to hold a convention.

A further order gave the go-ahead to evict slum dwellers living on government owned land throughout the country. Regarding a recent spike in recorded crime, including a spate of murders in Dhaka and elsewhere, the home secretary said: "Officials from the police informed the meeting that these were isolated incidents."

The home secretary added that the police have been directed to increase its activity to ensure all types of crime was under control.