DHAKA, Jan 26: The United States has asked Bangladesh to scale up efforts to capture fugitive leaders of the banned ‘Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh’ group which is widely blamed for a series of recent terrorist attacks in the country.

Talking to reporters, State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfozzaman Babar quoted the visiting US Assistant Secretary for South Asia Christina Rocca as having said at a meeting with BD officials here on Thursday, “you should try nabbing them, that’s important”.

Ms Rocca, who arrived here in the morning on a three-day visit, called on Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and handed over a letter from US President George W. Bush, appreciating Dhaka’s efforts in tackling terrorism.

Mr Bush underscored the need for strengthening US-BD ties to work together for democracy and fighting terrorism and extremism, BD’s ambassador to US Shamsher Mubin Chowdhury told reporters after Ms Rocca’s talks with the prime minister.

In his letter, the US president termed Bangladesh a vibrant democracy and hoped that the next election would take place as per the schedule.

Mr Babar said the US had promised to support Bangladesh in various sectors, especially providing training and exchange of information to fight terrorism.

Ms Rocca also met Foreign Minister M. Morshed Khan, Foreign Ministry Adviser Reaz Rahman and Foreign Secretary Hemayetuddin and discussed a number of issues with them.

The foreign secretary at a briefing said the US official was informed that Bangladesh was committed to holding the next general election on schedule.

The foreign minister apprised Ms Rocca about the government’s measures to contain terrorism.

On the other hand, different political parties and organizations held protests against the US official’s visit to the country, saying there was no instance of curbing terrorism in the world with the help of the United States that only patronized the terrorists.

Khalequzzaman, the leader of the leftwing Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal, said that frequent visits by US officials to Bangladesh were nothing but ‘an imperialist conspiracy’.

The Dal also staged a procession that paraded different city roads with protesters chanting the slogan ‘Go back, Rocca’.

The Islamic Constitution Movement also staged a rally where leaders said that America was trying to interfere with the internal affairs of Bangladesh.