Deputy Secretary Mohammed Nurul Islam on behalf of the general officer commanding of the 24th Infantry Division informed the deputy commissioners of Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban of the withdrawal in faxed messages yesterday.

The army on August 6 issued a directive in line with the guidelines of the infantry division formulated on January 15, 1989 that asks the region headquarters to control and coordinate the movement of civilians and their vehicles, security personnel, government officials and foreigners.

The withdrawal came following unwanted misunderstanding about the directives, the fax message said, without elaborating.

On receiving the guidelines on August 6, the deputy commissioner of Bandarban asked all transport operators to take necessary steps. A limited restriction was imposed in Khagrachhari and the deputy commissioner of Rangamati exercised caution.

According to the latest decision, the district administrations will give travel permission to foreigners. The army has asked the administrations to keep the army region informed about such tours.