20 arrested, explosives seized in operation

Bangladesh (AP):

Police said yesterday they have arrested 20 members of Bangladesh's largest Islamic party and seized homemade bombs from a house where they were holding a meeting.

Police officer Monir Uz Zaman said the activists from the Jamaat-e-Islami party were arrested in Dhaka's northern Mirpur district early yesterday. He said the men are being held under a special law that allows detention without formal charges. Among the detainees is Mustafizur Rahman, a former lawmaker and central committee member of the party, he said. Police seized six home-made bombs and explosives from the house, Zaman said. He added that police conducted the raid after being tipped off that party members were planning to disturb law and order. The allegation is being investigated, he said.