RAB won't commit extrajudicial killing: DG

Director General (DG) of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) AKM Shahidur Rahman today said members of the force would never get involved in any extrajudicial killing and enforced disappearances. "We won't again involve in any killing or enforced disappearance at anyone's directive as these are the criminal offenses," he said. The RAB chief also warned of taking tougher legal actions if any force members are involved in such crimes. He made the remarks while briefing on the current situation and recent drives of the force at RAB Media Centre at Karwan Bazar here.

Replying to a query, RAB DG said they are extending all sorts of cooperation to the commission formed to investigate the enforced disappearance, extrajudicial killings and Aynaghar (detention centre). He continued that they don't make any change to the existing facilities of the force to facilitate the commission to investigate the allegations of having Aynaghar following the directives of the authorities concerned.

Asked about measures taken against the RAB personnel having allegations of extortion, Shahidur Rahman said that they had already taken legal action against 16 members of the force. "None in the RAB will be spared if they are involved in any wrongdoing," he said. About the changing of the RAB uniform, he said they are highly considering the matter. He said a specific law for the RAB is being formulated as it has no law.

The force was created in 2006 through the Armed Police Battalions (Amendment) Act, 2003, he said. About the firing gunshots from the RAB helicopters during the anti-discrimination student movement, he said that the matter is now on trial at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) and the real fact will come out through proper investigation.

Asked about the demand for abolition of RAB by a major political party, he said, "We will work with sincerity and dedication as long as we are in charge. But we will welcome the government's decision." Replying to another query about the progress of the Twaki murder case in Narayanganj, the RAB chief said they have so far arrested 11 individuals in this connection, and three of them have already gave confessional statements.

"There is major progress in the investigation into the case. We will soon take legal measures after completing the investigation," he said. "The law and order station is now better compared to four months back," he said. "But it is impossible to maintain the law and order without the cooperation of the people," he said.