Dhaka: Bangladesh has begun withdrawing thousands of Armymen deployed in the controversial three-month anti-crime drive ahead of their winter exercises, a day after actions taken during the crackdown were indemnified.

While withdrawal of troops in the Upazila level area began on January 10, pullout from the various districts will be completed on January 11, but over a thousand Armymen will remain in six divisional headquarters, media reported on January 11 quoting Army sources.

The withdrawal comes a day after President Iajuddin Ahmed promulgated an Ordinance providing blanket cover to all actions taken by the joint forces during the "Operation Clean Heart" that began on October 17, 2002.

The Army is being pulled out as the winter exercises would start soon and participation is "very essential", local daily 'The Bangladesh Observer' quoted a top government source as saying.

Over 26,000 Defence personnel took part in the Army-led joint crackdown in which 48 people reportedly died in custody.

Around 11,245 people were arrested, of whom 2,482 were listed criminals. Around 9,000 people were later released.

Over 2,000 illegal arms and about 30,000 rounds of ammunition were recovered.

The withdrawal of troops has received mixed reaction, media reports said.

While some are happy as this brings an end to alleged harassment and repression, others are worried that terrorist and criminal activities will be revived, the reports said.

The Army is being pulled out at a time when the Election Commission has been repeatedly demanding its deployment in the upcoming Union Parishad elections which begin on January 25.

Government has rejected the plea saying the law and order situation has greatly improved as a result of the drive.

Meanwhile, the Ordinance indemnifying actions taken during the anti-crime drive has come in for sharp criticism.

Leader of the Opposition and president of Awami League Sheikh Hasina said the Ordinance is "contrary to Constitution and Human Rights".

Referring to the provision of the Ordinance that bars people from going to court against actions taken during the crackdown, Hasina said, "Every citizen has the right to get justice. This right cannot be taken away by promulgating any special Ordinance."

Other parties, including the left-leaning Workers Party, JSD and Communist Party, have voiced strong disapproval of the Ordinance.

PTI