Thursday, 19 September, 2024
The government has granted the Bangladesh Army the powers of executive magistrates for a temporary period of two months. This authority, which includes the ability to arrest individuals and disperse unlawful assemblies, has been conferred upon commissioned officers of the army.
The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification on Tuesday, stating that this decision is effective immediately. The move is seen as part of a broader effort to ensure law and order during a critical period, though it has sparked discussions about the balance between civil liberties and security enforcement.
Officials have not specified the circumstances prompting the decision, but analysts suggest it may be linked to potential political unrest or upcoming events that require heightened security. Critics, however, caution that such measures should be temporary and limited in scope to avoid undermining civil freedoms. The government has yet to release further details on the exact areas and situations where the army will be deployed under these new powers.
The new powers will remain in force for the next 60 days.
Section 17 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, or CrPC, which awards army officers the status of special executive magistrates, says these officers shall be subordinate to the district magistrates, or deputy commissioners.
They will perform duties under Sections 64, 65, 83, 84, 86, 95 (2), 100, 105, 107, 109, 110, 126, 127, 128, 130, 133, and 142 of the CrPC, 1898.
Under these sections, the special executive magistrates will get various powers including orders for arrest and detention, execution of arrest warrants, issuance of search warrants, fining for misconduct and minor offences, exemption from bail, dispersal of illegal assembly, removal of obstacles to immovable property and business establishments and taking necessary action in case of fear of harm to the public.
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The government has granted the Bangladesh Army the powers of executive magistrates for a temporary period of two months. This authority, which includes the ability to arrest individuals and disperse unlawful assemblies, has been conferred upon commissioned officers of the army.
The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification on Tuesday, stating that this decision is effective immediately. The move is seen as part of a broader effort to ensure law and order during a critical period, though it has sparked discussions about the balance between civil liberties and security enforcement.
Officials have not specified the circumstances prompting the decision, but analysts suggest it may be linked to potential political unrest or upcoming events that require heightened security. Critics, however, caution that such measures should be temporary and limited in scope to avoid undermining civil freedoms. The government has yet to release further details on the exact areas and situations where the army will be deployed under these new powers.
The new powers will remain in force for the next 60 days.
Section 17 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, or CrPC, which awards army officers the status of special executive magistrates, says these officers shall be subordinate to the district magistrates, or deputy commissioners.
They will perform duties under Sections 64, 65, 83, 84, 86, 95 (2), 100, 105, 107, 109, 110, 126, 127, 128, 130, 133, and 142 of the CrPC, 1898.
Under these sections, the special executive magistrates will get various powers including orders for arrest and detention, execution of arrest warrants, issuance of search warrants, fining for misconduct and minor offences, exemption from bail, dispersal of illegal assembly, removal of obstacles to immovable property and business establishments and taking necessary action in case of fear of harm to the public.
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