The government has granted special executive magistracy powers to army officers of the rank of captain and above, along with equivalent commissioned officers in the armed forces, across six districts and metropolitan areas to maintain law and order amid concerns over activities surrounding the founding anniversary of the Awami League.
According to a notification issued on Monday by the Deputation-2 Branch of the Ministry of Public Administration, the order will remain in force from June 22 to June 30 in the following areas: Dhaka metropolitan area, Chittagong metropolitan area, Gazipur metropolitan area, Narayanganj district, Gopalganj district and Faridpur district.
The notification said that, under Sections 12(1) and 17 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1898, the officers have been vested with the powers of Special Executive Magistrates for the specified areas and duration.
The authority will also extend to officers of equivalent rank serving on deputation with the Coast Guard and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
Under the order, the designated officers will be empowered to exercise magistracy powers in relation to offences covered under Sections 64, 65, 83, 84, 86, 95(2), 100, 105, 107, 109, 110, 126, 127, 128, 130, 133 and 142 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898.
Earlier on Monday, the government decided to deploy Army personnel in six districts as a precautionary measure to prevent any potential acts of sabotage surrounding the Awami League’s June 23 founding anniversary.
The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a directive to the deputy commissioners of the six districts regarding the deployment.
According to government officials, the decision was taken based on security assessments and concerns that members of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations could attempt to organise processions, showdowns or other activities that might disrupt public order.
