The authorities in Bangladesh say they are to terminate all court cases and warrants outstanding against members of a rebel tribal organisation which surrendered its arms earlier this year.

The group, called the Shanti Bahini, had waged an insurgency in the Chittagong Hill Tracts for two decades.

Former rebel leaders have welcomed the announcement of the halting of legal action against the movement's members.

Correspondents say relations between the government and the Shanti Bahini have been strained recently as a result of delays in the implemention of a peace treaty they both signed a year ago.