August 18, 2008	Monday	Sha'aban 15, 1429

DHAKA, Aug 17: Bangladesh police launched a special intelligence unit on Sunday to monitor the activities of political parties, one of which branded the move as “unfortunate and undemocratic”.

“We created the Political Intelligence Operation (PIO) to gather advance reports of what they (political parties) plan to do,” police commissioner Naim Ahmed told reporters.

“The PIO will not only keep track on activities by political parties and allied organisations but also have an overall responsibility to help ensure a peaceful public life,” he said.—Reuters