Coast guard bill passed with provision of death penalty for mutiny

The parliament today passed a bill, titled 'Bangladesh Coast Guard, 2016', with a provision for maximum punishment of death sentence for any involvement in mutiny in the force.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal placed the bill that was passed in the parliament in a voice vote.

The proposed law aims to make the coast guard disciplined, skilled and effective through updating the existing 1994 Act.

The law also defined various mutiny-related offences, trial procedures, and capital punishments for mutiny apart from other offences.

The bill will pave the way to protect the sovereignty of the country’s geographical area as well as preventing crimes and establishing rights on its maritime resources.

About the aim of the proposed law, the home boss said, it would help controlling crimes in the country’s maritime areas, river routes and coastal belts.

It would also help preventing intrusion into the country's offshore areas and ensure security of onshore areas adjacent to the sea, he added.