166 upazilas get new UNOs

The interim government on Wednesday appointed new upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs) at 166 upazilas ahead of the national elections in February.

The Ministry of Public Administration issued eight separate notifications, signed by deputy secretary Aminul Islam, in this regard.

New UNOs have been appointed in 29 upazilas of Dhaka Division, 21 upazilas of Barishal Division, 29 upazilas of Chattogram Division, 21 upazilas of Khulna Division, 24 upazilas of Rangpur Division, 13 upazilas of Rajshahi Division, 14 upazilas of Sylhet Division, and 15 upazilas of Mymensingh Division.

The notifications stated that the government has also granted these BCS (administration cadre) officers the powers of executive magistrates under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, enabling them to perform their duties within their respective jurisdictions.

It, however, stated that the transferred officers, who are currently serving as senior assistant secretaries, must report to their assigned stations by 30 November; otherwise, they will be considered released from their current duty from the afternoon of that date.