December 24, 2002	Tuesday	Shawwal 19, 1423

DHAKA, Dec 23: Twenty army personnel have faced punitive actions for various offences committed against innocent citizens during the ongoing army-led joint drive against violent crimes that began in mid-October.

This was revealed by the Principal Information Officer of the State, Khandkar Manirul Alam, at a press briefing on Sunday.

The PIO, however, said that the punitive actions had no relation with the “so-called custodial deaths”.

“The action has been taken for wrongdoing, overdoing and negligence of duty. This is a routine affair in the defence forces.”

The punishments include jail, demotion, curbing seniority, tongue-lashing etc.

Asked whether the army will make public the reports of different inquiry committees formed during the anti-crime drive, the official said a decision in this regard is yet to be taken.

However, at least 38 people have so far died during or after they were arrested by the troops during the drive, Operation Clean Heart, since Oct 16. But the government each time denied any death in army custody.

Meanwhile, a major of the Bangladesh Army has been sued by the wife of Abul Hossain Litu, a farm owner, who was allegedly killed while in custody on Oct 28.