Apparel manufacturers Saturday urged the government again to take immediate initiatives to introduce industrial police for saving the country's highest foreign currency earning sector from extortion and vandalism.

They have been demanding formation of such police force from the last couple of years, as the apparel sector particularly witnessed a number of incidents of killing, extortion and vandalism at a time when the global financial meltdown strikes it.

"These incidents also create panic among the garments manufactures," Bangladesh Garments Manufactures and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president Abdus Salam Murshedy said at a function, marking the handover of two pickup vans to the Gazipur district police by the organisation.

Home Minister Sahara Khatun was present as the chief guest of the programme, held at the BGMEA headquarters at Tejgaon area in the city, where the BGMEA president handed over keys of the pick-up vans to her.

The BGMEA president also urged the government to ensure a smooth law and order situation in the country, so that they can do their businesses without facing any hindrance.

"Police petrol will have to be increased on Dhaka-Chittagong highway, particularly at Gouripur, Mirersorai, Sitakundo and Kumira, where a gang is fully active to snatch away products from covered vans," Murshedy alleged.

The BGMEA chief said they have already given 16 vehicles to the police administration in Dhaka, Chittagong, Narayanganj, Feni, Gazipur and Ashulia, so that the police can perform their duties more efficiently.

The Home Minister said the government is considering to introduce the industrial police very soon, and her ministry would provide all possible cooperation for forming the special police unit for the readymade garments (RMG) sector.

Responding to a plea of the BGMEA president to allow plying of 20 covered vans instead of five vans on Dhaka city roads during daytime, she said the government would consider the request after discussing the matter with the authorities concerned.

Sahara Khatun said her ministry would take all possible measures for creating a business-friendly atmosphere in the country. "Law and order situation in the country is improving apart from some isolated incidents," she claimed.

-Financial Express