Cabinet approves Border Guard Bangladesh Act-2010
Dhaka, Mar 1 (UNB)-The Cabinet Monday approved in principle the Border Guard Bangladesh Act 2010 to reorganize the mutiny-ridden BDR under this new law with a provision of capital punishment for offences like mutiny, killing and arson by members of the paramilitary force.
A six-member high-powered committee was formed at the meeting for in-depth scrutiny of the proposed law before its final approval.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who chaired the cabinet meeting, directed the authorities concerned to enact such a deterrent that stops Peelkhana-like killings forever in the country.
“Enact such an appropriate, strong and time-befitting law so that no one can dare to do such heinous act in future,” the Prime Minister was quoted by her Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad as saying while he was briefing media men after the cabinet meeting held at Bangladesh Secretariat.
On the six-member scrutiny committee are Advisers to the Prime Minister HT Imam and Dr Mashiur Rahman, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister MA Karim and secretaries of the Cabinet Division, and Home and Law Ministries.
“The committee will work on the draft law and suggest necessary changes and additions for the final approval of the law by the cabinet,” Azad said.
The panel is expected to submit its report at the next cabinet meeting after vetting the draft of the new law having tough provisions governing the reformed border force.
Azad said after the brutal killings of army officers and civilians in the February 25-26 Peelkhana carnage, the government had decided to restructure Bangladesh Rifles and the Prime Minister already gave her permission for restructuring the border force.
In the BDR mutiny on February 25 and 26 last year soldiers took over the BDR headquarters and killed 57 army officers in their command, including their Director-General Maj Gen Shakeel Ahmed. A total of 74 people, including the DG’s wife, were killed during the Armageddon.
The unruly BDR jawans also fired on some civilians, held many of their officers hostage, vandalized property and looted valuables. By the second day, unrest had spread to garrisons in 12 other towns and cities.
The mutiny ended as the mutineers surrendered their arms and released the hostages after a series of discussions and negotiations with the government-amid a turmoil within less than a month of the new government took over following the last polls held against the backdrop of the 1/11 (2007) political topsy-turvy.
Monday’s cabinet meeting also approved the National Child Labour Deterrence Act 2010 aiming to stop child labour in every sphere of life in line with the ILO convention, Azad said.
He said regarding child labor, the Prime Minister strongly directed all authorities concerned to implement all provisions of the Child Labour Act to protect rights of the children and save them from being engaged sweated labor and risky jobs.
The Public Procurement (2nd Amendment) Act 2010 was also approved by the council of ministers at the meeting.
The meeting also discussed various problems regarding collection of land-development taxes.
A six-member high-powered committee was formed at the meeting for in-depth scrutiny of the proposed law before its final approval.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who chaired the cabinet meeting, directed the authorities concerned to enact such a deterrent that stops Peelkhana-like killings forever in the country.
“Enact such an appropriate, strong and time-befitting law so that no one can dare to do such heinous act in future,” the Prime Minister was quoted by her Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad as saying while he was briefing media men after the cabinet meeting held at Bangladesh Secretariat.
On the six-member scrutiny committee are Advisers to the Prime Minister HT Imam and Dr Mashiur Rahman, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister MA Karim and secretaries of the Cabinet Division, and Home and Law Ministries.
“The committee will work on the draft law and suggest necessary changes and additions for the final approval of the law by the cabinet,” Azad said.
The panel is expected to submit its report at the next cabinet meeting after vetting the draft of the new law having tough provisions governing the reformed border force.
Azad said after the brutal killings of army officers and civilians in the February 25-26 Peelkhana carnage, the government had decided to restructure Bangladesh Rifles and the Prime Minister already gave her permission for restructuring the border force.
In the BDR mutiny on February 25 and 26 last year soldiers took over the BDR headquarters and killed 57 army officers in their command, including their Director-General Maj Gen Shakeel Ahmed. A total of 74 people, including the DG’s wife, were killed during the Armageddon.
The unruly BDR jawans also fired on some civilians, held many of their officers hostage, vandalized property and looted valuables. By the second day, unrest had spread to garrisons in 12 other towns and cities.
The mutiny ended as the mutineers surrendered their arms and released the hostages after a series of discussions and negotiations with the government-amid a turmoil within less than a month of the new government took over following the last polls held against the backdrop of the 1/11 (2007) political topsy-turvy.
Monday’s cabinet meeting also approved the National Child Labour Deterrence Act 2010 aiming to stop child labour in every sphere of life in line with the ILO convention, Azad said.
He said regarding child labor, the Prime Minister strongly directed all authorities concerned to implement all provisions of the Child Labour Act to protect rights of the children and save them from being engaged sweated labor and risky jobs.
The Public Procurement (2nd Amendment) Act 2010 was also approved by the council of ministers at the meeting.
The meeting also discussed various problems regarding collection of land-development taxes.
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