The Supreme Court today stayed a High Court order that asked the government to provide security to all upazila parishad chairpersons with gunmen like that of the upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs) across the country.

The apex court also asked the HC to dispose of the rule in which the High Court questioned the relevant rules of the Upazila Parishad Ain that has empowered the UNOs over upazila chairpersons.

A full bench of the Appellate Division of the SC headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain passed the order following a petition filed by the state challenging the HC order.

Following a writ petition filed by three upazila parishad chairmen, including Md Abdul Aziz of Patuakhali's Dasmina upazila, the HC on September 7 issued the order and rule.

Additional Attorney General Mohammad Mehedi Hassan Chowdhury and Deputy Attorney General Samarendranath Biswas appeared for the state.