Bangladesh, June 23 -- The Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday announced the planned deployment of the army in six districts and metropolitan areas as authorities stepped up security, fearing a possible deterioration in the law-and-order situation during the observance of the banned Awami League's founding anniversary today (June 23).

The ministry made a request to the Bangladesh army for the deployment. It came a week after the complete withdrawal of the armed forces on June 15 -nearly two years after the armed forces were deployed nationwide in the wake of the July Uprising.

Citing intelligence reports, a ministry document said supporters of the former ruling party could attempt to create anarchy and disorder in parts of the country t...