Bangladesh's caretaker government announced it is ordering the army out to maintain law and order in aid of civil administration.
DHAKA: Bangladesh's caretaker government on Saturday night announced it was ordering the army out to maintain law and order in aid of civil administration.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police also banned all kinds of gatherings around the Bangabhaban, the official residence of President Iajuddin Ahmed, who heads the caretaker government.
The home ministry said the army was being called out "to maintain law and order in aid of the civil society ahead of elections".
Government sources said the deployment would be effective "immediately".
"The government already deployed the law enforcement agencies including police, BDR, Ansar to face any untoward incident ahead of the upcoming general elections," a statement said.
"Yet, the president and the chief adviser ordered deployment of the armed forces as its necessity was felt to protect the life and property of the people, keep alive the economic activities, siege illegal weapons and control terrorists," it added.
The statement said the armed forces division was also asked to carry out the order to help law enforcement agencies.
It said, in line with the President's order, the home ministry issued the order for military deployment under the sections 129, 130 and 131 of the Criminal Procedure Code and sections 7 and 10 of the Instructions Regarding Aid to Civil Power.
"The President unilaterally decided to deploy army by defying his advisors in the caretaker government," Adviser Sultana Kamal was quoted as saying by the private bdnews24.com news agency.
"We all opposed but he said he would use his powers as President to deploy army," she said.
Advisor Yasmin Murshid also said the President had decided to use army to deal with law and order situation. "He told us: `I have decided to deploy army. I'm just informing you of the matter'," Murshid said.
The home ministry ordered district administrations to keep ready necessary number of magistrates and "discharge responsibilities in required cases".
In metropolitan areas, it said, the chief metropolitan magistrates were issued similar directives.
Earlier this month, the military was asked to be alert for possible deployment, according to the sources. But, twice before such a decision was reversed.
The development came as Bangladesh hung between deepening political crisis over reforms of the Election Commission.
The caretaker government offered a solution, but controversial Election Commissioner A S M Zakaria refused of to go on holiday.
Sheikh Hasina Wajed's Awami League-led 14-party alliance had threatened to stage a sit-in demonstration around the presidential palace on this issue, but said it would wait till Sunday.
The sources said the government was working to evolve an understanding for all-party elections on January 23.
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