Bangladesh cops resume duty; army chief says soldiers to return to barracks

Dhaka: After police officers agreed to call off their strike and return to work, Bangladesh's army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman said on Monday that soldiers will return to barracks.

He said there is improvement in the law and order situation in the country. "If the situation continues to improve, all regular forces will carry out their counter-terrorism operations," he was quoted as saying by the United News of Bangladesh news agency.

According to sources from the chief adviser's office, Muhammad Yunus expressed satisfaction with the improvement in law and order situation. He praised the military for its active involvement in stabilising the situation.


Newly-appointed chief justice Syed Refaat Ahmed warned of stern action if anybody from the judiciary was found to be involved in any "misdeeds".

Businesses in Bangladesh are facing a liquidity crunch as the central bank has capped withdrawal of cash from banks at Tk 2 lakh. Interim finance adviser Salehuddin Ahmed said that the limit was required given the current situation.

Interim government's foreign affairs advisor Md Touhid Hossain emphasised the significance of maintaining equilibrium with "big powers".

Meanwhile, Indian Coast Guard has enhanced surveillance along the maritime boundary line to foil any attempt of illegal migration through sea routes.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor expressed concern over attacks on the Indian cultural centre and minorities and called upon Yunus and his interim government to take immediate action to restore law and order for the benefit of all Bangladeshis regardless of their faith.