Magistracy powers for Armed Forces extended by another 60 days

The executive magistracy powers granted to military officers have been extended for another 60 days in a third round.

The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification on Thursday saying that commissioned officers of the rank of captain and above serving in the Armed Forces across the country have been granted the special power for 60 days from Mar 15.

Armed Forces officials deputise to the Coast Guard and BGB will also be able to exercise the powers during the period.

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 Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, or CrPC.

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.

Section 17 of the CrPC, which awards military officers the status of special executive magistrates, says these officers shall be subordinate to the district magistrates, or deputy commissioners.

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 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.

Then, on Jan 12, it was extended for another 60 days. Now, it has been extended once more for another two-month period.

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.

On Sept 18, the day after the special powers were first granted, then public administration secretary Mokhlesur Rahman said they had been extended to the Armed Forces in order to create an environment friendly to the public in Bangladesh.