Along with social crimes, political crimes are also increasing in the country, Information and Broadcasting Minister  Dr Hasan Mahmud said on Monday.

"Burning people in the name of politics does not happen anywhere in the world. Setting fire and burning people are heinous crimes," he said, while addressing a discussion organized by Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh (CRAB) marking its 40th founding anniversary at an auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) in the capital.

The minister also urged the journalists to work for protecting the society from political crimes

Dr Hasan said people are getting involved in social and economic crimes to make money and raising prices of commodities unjustly for looting money and pollute the society and the state.

"I would like to urge you (journalists) to write against those corruptions," he said.

Mentioning crime reporting is a risky task, Dr Hasan said the crime reporters have faced various problems and repressions but they didn't back down.

The minister said he will be beside the journalist in future also like the present and past.

He said investigative reports over drug and militancy help the government in taking actions.

He urged the members of CRAB to remain united in future as they have remained united for 40 years.

Presided by Mirza Mehedi Tomal, president of CRAB, vice president Mizanur Rahman, general secretary Mamunur Rashid, former presidents Khairuzzaman Kamal, Mizan Malik and Abul Hossain, DRU president Mursalin Nomani and DRU former president Shakhawat Hossain Badsha took part in the discussion.

Later, the information minister cut a cake marking the anniversary of CRAB.