Foreign Office issues advice on Bangladesh

Rangamti, February 18, 2007: The Foreign Office is advising against all but essential travel to the Chittagong Hill Tracts region in Bangladesh following political unrest.

Bangladesh's caretaker President, Fakhruddin Ahmed, has provisionally set elections for January 22nd after previous polls were boycotted and protested against.

On January 11th the president declared a state of emergency, which prevented large groups assembling and put restrictions on protests.

In a statement the Foreign Office noted: "You should keep yourself informed of developments, including by regularly checking this travel advice and monitoring the news.

"We advise against all but essential travel to the Chittagong Hill Tracts (this does not include the city of Chittagong) because of the risk of being caught up in clashes between rival tribal groups, settlers and the military.

"The Bangladesh authorities require foreigners who propose to visit the Chittagong Hill Tracts to let the local authorities have seven days' notice of their travel plans."

The situation in Bangladesh is now much calmer than in the immediate aftermath of the state of emergency.