The government has empowered army officers deployed in six districts with special magistrate powers to prevent potential destruction and maintain law and order. This decision was announced in a notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on Monday.
Districts and Duration
The districts where army officers have been granted these powers include Dhaka, Chattogram, and Gazipur metropolitan areas, as well as Narayanganj, Gopalganj, and Faridpur. These powers will be in effect from June 22 to June 30, 2026.
Scope of Powers
Under the notification, army officers with the rank of captain or above can exercise the powers of a special executive magistrate. These powers include the authority to arrest, issue arrest warrants, conduct searches, accept bonds for misbehavior and minor offenses, disperse unlawful assemblies, remove obstructions in the public interest, and take necessary measures to prevent threats to public safety.
Legal Framework
The powers granted are under 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 (CrPC) of 1898.
Background
The deployment of the army in these areas follows a decision made by the government on Sunday to control the law and order situation. This move comes in the wake of the political turmoil that followed the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, after a student-led uprising.
