The home ministry has formed a 15-member cell headed by the chairman of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission to fight phone crime.

The decision came in an order Monday, in the wake of increasing reports of threats and extortion by mobile and land phone. State minister for home Tanjim Ahmed Sohel recently called for action to check such crimes.

The new committee has been asked to submit a report to the home minister within 15 working days. Committee members include representatives of home and telecommunication ministries, the police chief, directors general of DGFI and NSI and representatives from six mobile operators.