Staff Reporter:
All allegations of enforced disappearance and killing against the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) will be investigated, said its Director General AKM Shahidur Rahman on Thursday.
“I assure you that as long as I am in charge, RAB will not be involved in any enforced disappearances or killings,” he said while speaking at a press conference held at Media Center in Karwran Bazar in Dhaka.
A commission is investigating all allegations against RAB, including enforced disappearances and killings, he added, “We are fully cooperating with the commission and we believe that legal actions will be taken based on the investigation reports.”
Replying to a question about changing the uniform of the elite force, the top RAB official said, “We are thinking about it as RAB has its own law. We are thinking of making a separate law for RAB and will take necessary measures based on public and media feedback regarding reforms.”
Referring to the arrest of the members of elite force involved in mugging, the DG said 16 members of the force were arrested in connection with their alleged involvement in mugging and extortion after 5 August.
Since the establishment of RAB, a total of 58 officers and 4,246 members were brought to book.
Mentioning about the challenges faced by the elite force after 5 August, the RAB chief said a total of 14,500 accused were arrested while 20,000 illegal arms were seized during this period.
