Executive megistracy powers for army officers extended for another 60 days

The power, initially granted on Sept 17, have been extended for two more months to maintain law and order

The executive magistracy powers granted to military officers have been extended for a second term.

The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification on Sunday, specifying that the extension will apply nationwide for the next 60 days, starting Tuesday.

The army officers were first granted powers on Sept 17, for two months, to assist law-enforcing agencies.

Separate notifications later extended this authority to commissioned officers of the Navy and Air Force as well.

The first extension occurred on Nov 16, with an additional two-month period.

The army had been deployed across the country since the mass uprising that led to the ousting of the Awami League government.

After the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime on Aug 5, curfews were lifted, but military personnel remained in the field to help restore the deteriorating law and order situation.

The troops have continued to assist in maintaining security through joint operations and regular patrols across the country.

The ministry’s notification for the second extension clarified that from Jan 14, army officers holding the rank of captain and above, as well as officers of the Coast Guard and Border Guard Bangladesh, or BGB, of similar rank, will have the powers for the next two months.

Section 17 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, or CrPC, which awards military 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 have powers including orders for arrest and detention, execution of arrest warrants, issuance of search warrants, fining for misconduct and minor offences, exemption from bail, and the dispersal of illegal assemblies.

In addition, they will have the authority to remove obstacles to immovable property and business establishments and take necessary actions if there is a threat of harm to the public.

After the initial grant of powers on Sept 17, the then public administration secretary Mokhlesur Rahman had said the army was given magistracy powers to create a people-friendly environment in the country.