40,000 troops deployed as polls striking force

Over 40,000 army personnel were deployed across the country Saturday to assist the law enforcers in the run-up to the December 29 general elections, the home ministry and the Election Commission said. According to a decision of the home ministry, troops will be stationed as a striking force alongside the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), coastguards, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and armed police until Dec 31. The troops had earlier 'returned to barracks' on Dec 17 as the state of emergency was lifted after almost two years. They began moving out again the very next day to be redeployed by Dec 20 to help maintain law and order during the election period. RAB and armed police forces will be deployed on Dec. 24. — bdnews24.com