Police in special drives arrested 23,968 people including 72 militants and listed criminals across the country.
Police conducted 33429 special drives from December 1 to December 15, said an official wishing anonymity at police headquarters.
Among the arrestees, 15,968 people have been wanted in several criminal cases while 8000 were held in 5132 cases filed during the drives. During the drive police also seized arms and drugs. Police carried out the operation after the escape of the two militants from the premises of Dhaka court.
Two members of the banned militant outfit Ansar al-Islam, who were sentenced to death in Jagriti Publications publisher Faisal ArefinDipan murder case, escaped from the premises of Dhaka Chief Judicial Magistrate Court (Dhaka CMM Court) on November 21.
The escapees are Md Abu Siddique Sohel alias Sakib alias Sajid alias Shahab and Moinul Hasan Shamim alias Samir alias Sifat alias Imran.