March 18, 2007	Sunday	Safar 28, 1428

DHAKA, March 17: Bangladesh’s army-backed interim government, which has launched a crackdown on corruption, has called in paramilitary troops to sell food and other essentials in an effort to curb prices.

A large number of residents have been queuing in makeshift shops set up by the Bangladesh Rifles in the capital Dhaka to buy pulses, potatoes, onions, garlic and ginger at fixed prices.

“Sale of goods by the troops has already made an impact in the markets, where prices of some stuffs have started declining over the last two days,” said Shamsul Islam, a resident.

Prices of essential foodstuffs had risen between 30 to 70 per cent since January because supplies from the countryside had been disrupted after the army launched a quality inspection drive, traders said.

Several warehouses had been shut down by the army after it said it found rotting food grains, adding to the panic.

An official said the Bangladesh Rifles, which is normally deployed on the border, were operating 17 shops in Dhaka to sell essential goods.

Residents say that these shops must also sell rice and meat, which a Bangladesh Rifles officer said could be introduced soon.—Reuters