Muhammad Yunus says reforms should be completed before 'December polls'

"The interim government does not have much time. Seven months have already passed. Whatever reforms we intend to implement must be completed by then,"Yunus was quoted as saying by Dhaka Tribune.

"The police force is the most important pillar of Bangladesh. Any government initiative ultimately depends on them to create the necessary environment for successful implementation," he said.

Yunus and his interim government took charge of the nation just three days after former PM Sheikh Hasina's regime collapsed and she fled to neighbouring India amid violent protests over a job quota issue.

However, the Muslim-majority nation is witnessing a spike in atrocities committed against Hindu and other minority communities during the current tenure of the interim government.

Late last year, the interim government acknowledged that 88 incidents of communal violence against minorities were reported in the country, following the fall of the previous government on August 5.

Interim government head Muhammad Yunus' press secretary Shafiqul Alam recently confirmed 70 people were arrested in connection with the incidents.