Desk report
BNP has recommended the abolition of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). The party has already made this recommendation to the government’s police reform committee.
BNP Standing Committee member and head of the BNP Police Reform Committee, Major (Retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, said this at a press conference at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan, the capital, on Tuesday.
He said that even though the government’s police reform committee did not ask for recommendations from BNP, we have given recommendations. Reforming this essential service of the state (police) is now the demand of the hour.
Hafiz also said that BNP has recommended the formation of a police commission in the recommendations.
Hafiz said, “I have spoken to retired police officers from different levels of the police. I have spoken to journalists. I have spoken to many people. We have recommended reducing the distance between the police and the public.”
Formation and Controversy of RAB
In 2004, the then BNP-led coalition government initiated the process of forming a specialized police unit. The elite force RAB made its debut by participating in the Independence Day parade on March 26 of that year.
RAB was originally formed to suppress militancy and terrorism and improve law and order in the country. After its debut, RAB officers were sent to the United States for training. Several RAB officers have received training at the FBI in the United States.
However, later, during the BNP-led coalition government, allegations of serious human rights violations were made against this force. At that time, the Awami League demanded the abolition of RAB, alleging that people were killed in crossfire.
In 2014, three former RAB officers were arrested in connection with the kidnapping and murder of seven people in Narayanganj. Various allegations of disappearance and kidnapping were made against RAB around this incident. At that time, BNP leader and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia demanded the abolition of RAB.
However, then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina rejected the demand to disband the special forces, RAB. She said that RAB is now functioning as an established force and action is being taken against anyone in the force if they commit any wrongdoing.
In December 2021, the United States imposed sanctions on RAB and six of its officers for alleged involvement in serious human rights violations.
