Police arrested 2,057 people, including 20 identified terrorists, and recovered nine firearms along with 44 bullets from across the country in the last 24 hours ending at 6 am Monday.

Of the arrested, 1,352 were wanted by police and 675 accused indifferent under-investigation cases, a police headquarters press release said Monday.

Meanwhile, on the first four days of a police-led anti crime sweep in the southwestern region in the country, 283 people, including 25 listed criminals were arrested.

The Home Ministry announced Sunday that the forces comprising police, paramilitary the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), Ansars (militia)and Coast Guard mounted the manhunt on Saturday night for "160 top criminals who figure on the police list."

The local media, however, disclosed that the sweep on crime began on Thursday night.

The drive began in the wake of widespread violence in the region comprising 10 administrative districts.

At least 31 people, including local government leaders and policemen, were killed in 17 days before the drive in the region.

About 14,000 additional BDR men along with police and ansars were carrying out the operation.

"The list, based on consultations with police stations, may include more, if necessary," Home Secretary Omar Faroq said at a press conference here Sunday.

This is the second sweep of joint forces on crime in the country in less than a year. The first one had started on October 17 last year and that was led by army across the country. But this time army has not been included.

(Xinhua News Agency  July 22, 2003)