The government will gradually withdraw army personnel deployed for maintaining law and order as public confidence in the police force has been restored, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Thursday.
He made the remarks after a meeting at the Home Ministry at the Secretariat.
The minister said the country's law and order situation had improved significantly and there was no plan to keep the army deployed indefinitely.
"An elected political government has assumed responsibility and confidence has been restored in bringing the police force back to an effective and disciplined state," he said.
"We believe we have been able to restore the police force to a functional position and people have also regained trust in them. Therefore, initiatives are being taken to gradually withdraw the army from the field," he added.
However, Salahuddin Ahmed said the withdrawal process would be finalised through discussions among the police, army and other relevant agencies.
Replying to a question about ongoing special drives, the minister said operations against extortionists, terrorists, drug traders, gamblers and illegal arms holders were continuing regularly.
"The time is not over yet. Wait and see, the drives are ongoing. Listed criminals are being arrested every day. Criminals involved in drugs, terrorism, gambling and arms-related offences are being detained," he said.
He added that both joint and individual operations by law enforcement agencies were underway and legal action was being taken against those arrested.
Responding to a query about alleged "godfathers" escaping action, the minister said nobody was above the law and operations were being conducted based on intelligence and prepared lists.
