Armed Forces to be Withdrawn in Phases: Home Minister

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced on Thursday that the government has initiated a plan to gradually withdraw armed forces personnel deployed across the country for law and order duties.

Speaking at the Secretariat following a meeting on stone extraction in Sylhet, the Minister noted that the transition to an elected political government and the revitalized efficiency of the police force have reduced the need for prolonged military presence in civil administration.

"With an elected government in power and the police force becoming fully dynamic, the long-term deployment of the army is no longer required. We are taking steps to withdraw them in phases," the Minister stated. He added that the specific timeline and logistics of the return to barracks would be finalized after further high-level discussions.

Addressing regional concerns, the Home Minister also announced the formation of an expert committee led by the Sylhet Divisional Commissioner. This body will oversee stone extraction in Sylhet and Sunamganj.

The committee is tasked with balancing economic needs with environmental protection, determining specific extraction zones, depth limits, and preservation methods to ensure the ecological integrity of the region remains intact.