UNB
A bill, titled ‘Bangladesh Coast Guard Bill, 2016’, was passed in parliament having a provision for maximum punishment of death sentence for involvement in mutiny in the force.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan moved the Bill in the House which was passed by voice vote.
The proposed law aims to make the Coast Guard a disciplined, skilled and effective one through updating the existing 1994 act.
The proposed law defined various mutiny-related offences, trial procedure, capital punishment for mutiny apart from other offences.
There will be 21 posts in the Coast Guard, including one director general, while there will be three courts in the Coast Guard, these are Special Coast Guard Court, Special Summery Coast Guard Court and Summery Coast Guard Court.
A bill will pave the way to protect the sovereignty of Bangladesh’s geographical area as well as preventing crimes and establishing rights of its maritime resources.
The law would help control crimes in Bangladesh maritime areas, river routes and coastal belts and establish rights on our maritime resources as well.
It would also help prevent intrusion into the country’s offshore areas and ensure security of onshore areas adjacent to the sea.