DHAKA, Dec 12: Bangladesh will allow police to monitor suspicious telephone calls as part of a crackdown on militancy and suicide bombers, officials said on Monday. President Iajuddin Ahmed signed an ordinance allowing the move on Sunday, said his spokesman, Mokhlesur Rahman Chowdhury. It takes effect immediately.

State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfuzzaman Babar said last week the government was determined to crush an Islamist network maintained largely through mobile phones.

“We know Islamist leaders use 20 to 30 different temporary cellphone numbers to guide the bombers,” he said, “something we are going to crush soon”.

More then eight million people in Bangladesh use cellphones provided by five operators, while nearly another one million people use fixed-line phones managed by state-owned Bangladesh Telegraph and Telephone Board.

The ordinance will remain in force for six months until approved by parliament.—Reuters