Bangladesh's military says it will begin withdrawing troops from the
country's southeastern hills, nearly 12 years after signing a peace
deal with tribal insurgents.
The defense ministry said Wednesday three infantry battalions and 35
security camps will begin pulling out immediately. Officials say the
withdrawal will be completed by September.
The ministry says this would be the "biggest" withdrawal of forces from
the Chittagong Hill Tracts since a peace treaty was signed with tribal
insurgents in 1997.
The ministry said in a statement that it hoped the withdrawal would be
considered a "milestone" by residents of the region, and that the
Bangladeshi government is sincere and committed to fully implementing
the peace deal.
The treaty was signed when the Awami League was in power. The party,
led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is now in office again.
Amir Khasru has more on the story.