At least 576 inmates are serving additional days in different jails across the country due to the jail authorities' failure to take effective steps, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairman Mizanur Rahman has claimed.

Claiming that the ongoing crackdown on militants was not politically motivated, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan yesterday said the drive was being conducted as part of security measures following recent target killings and also on the occasion of Ramadan and ahead of Eid.

In the face of heavy criticism over the mass arrests across the country, police now say their weeklong special crackdown will focus on militants only.

The Supreme Court's latest landmark verdict against police's century-old discretionary powers concerning arrest, detention and remand is a bold judicial pronouncement in favour of people's liberty and fundamental rights.

Police personnel from different tiers have welcomed the Supreme Court's landmark verdict on police's powers concerning arrest, detention in custody and remand, but said the provision for making arrests on suspicion is necessary for tackling crimes.

The Supreme Court yesterday expressed dismay at the government's unwillingness to implement the 15 directives issued by the High Court 13 years ago to stop policemen making arbitrary arrests on suspicion and torturing arrestees on remand.