The powers, initially granted on Sept 17, have been extended for two more months to maintain law and orderThe interim government has extended the executive magistracy powers granted to army officers by an additional 60 days, in an effort to maintain law and order during the ongoing political transition. Under this authority, 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, are empowered to arrest individuals and disperse illegal gatherings. The extended powers will be executed nationwide, the statement said. On Sept 30, the government amended the previous notification, adding "armed forces" in place of "army" to extend the same powers to Navy and Air Force officers. Section 17 of the CrPC, which awards army officers the status of special executive magistrates, says these officers shall be subordinate to the district magistrates, or deputy commissioners.
