Army officers’ Magistracy powers extended for two more months

The government has extended the executive magistracy powers of army officers for another two months. 

This extension applies to commissioned officers of the Bangladesh Army holding the rank of Captain and above, as well as officers of equivalent ranks in the Coast Guard and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) who are currently on deputation.

The extension was officially announced through a notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on Thursday, March 13. 

The new order will come into effect on March 15 and will remain valid for 60 days, providing army officers with executive magistrate powers during this period. 

These powers include the ability to take necessary action on crimes as per sections 64, 65, 83, 84, 86, 95(2), 100, 105, 107, 109, 110, 126, 127, 128, 130, 133, and 142 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC).

This latest extension follows a series of similar decisions taken after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5 last year, in the wake of a mass student and public uprising. 

In response to the deteriorating law and order situation following the uprising, the armed forces, comprising the Army, Navy, and Air Force, were granted special executive magistrate powers on September 17. 

Since then, the government has repeatedly extended this authority for two-month periods to ensure stability.

The situation had escalated when the quota reform movement in government jobs led to widespread clashes across the country, particularly in Dhaka. 

The then Awami League government responded by deploying the army and imposing a curfew on the night of July 19, 2024. 

However, continued unrest led to the fall of the Awami League government on August 5. 

Shortly afterward, an interim government was formed on August 8, which has since kept the army deployed across the country in response to the ongoing crisis.

While the government continues to rely on the military for maintaining order, the situation remains tense, with the army’s presence still visible throughout the country. 

The decision to extend the magistracy powers of army officers reflects the government’s cautious approach to ensuring that peace and stability are upheld as the country navigates through this challenging period.

This extended period of military deployment has raised questions among citizens and political observers about the future of the nation‍‍`s governance and the role of the military in civilian affairs.