, Feb. 24 -- Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Tuesday said the government has approved the withdrawal of 1,202 more politically motivated cases filed over the past 17 years against opposition leaders, party activists and others.

Earlier approval was given for withdrawal 1,006 politically motivated cases , he told reporters at the Ministry of Home Affairs .

He said cases involving murder, drugs, arms, explosives, and violence against women and children were excluded and only politically motivated cases were considered for withdrawal.

The Minister said the government has taken initiatives to withdraw more such cases.

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"Each case will be carefully verified...