Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that a decision is being made to progressively withdraw members of the armed forces currently deployed in the field for maintaining law and order.

He made this statement during a briefing with journalists at the Secretariat on Thursday (May 7), following a meeting in Sylhet regarding stone extraction.

The Home Minister stated that with an elected political government currently in power and the police force’s operations becoming significantly more dynamic, the government believes there is no longer a need for army, navy, and air force personnel to remain deployed in the field for an extended period.

He added, “An initiative is being taken to progressively withdraw army personnel from the field. However, the process and method of their return will be decided after discussions.”

Meanwhile, the Home Minister also mentioned that the government has taken a special initiative regarding stone extraction in the Sylhet region.

He stated that a committee comprising experts, headed by the Divisional Commissioner of Sylhet Division, has been formed to address stone extraction and conservation in Sylhet, Sunamganj, and other related areas. The committee will determine from which areas, to what depth, and in what quantity stones can be extracted. Additionally, the committee will provide recommendations on how to conserve stones while maintaining environmental balance.