RAB may be reformed with new name, uniform: Jahangir
NN Online:
Home Adviser Lieutenant General Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd) said on Tuesday that if required, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) may be restructured, including a change in its name and uniform.
“If required, the RAB will be formed anew. A discussion about the force was held and we presented a proposal – an idea regarding a name and a uniform. All have to think about it. The next meeting will decide the course of action,” he said.
The adviser made these remarks while replying to a question after coming out of a meeting on law and order at the ministry’s conference room at Bangladesh Secretariat.
He said they would take the decision in this regard after holding a meeting with all concerned.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has suggested restructuring of Bangladesh’s security and policing systems as it released its fact-finding report on violence during the July-August Uprising on Wednesday.
“Disband the Rapid Action Battalion and return personnel not involved in serious violations to their home units,” said the report of the OHCHR or the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
‘DCs recommend more BGB deployment along borders’
Deputy Commissioners (DCs) on Tuesday recommended a larger deployment of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel in the country’s frontier areas to strengthen national security. The proposal also includes enhanced security measures for waterways to ensure greater safety.
Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said this while briefing reporters at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital on Tuesday.
The briefing followed the third-day session of the Deputy Commissioners’ Conference, which included discussions under the purview of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture.
“In our session, the primary focus was on improving law and order and advancing the agricultural sector. The deputy commissioners suggested increasing the deployment of BGB personnel along border areas, strengthening waterway security through a higher presence of river police, and augmenting manpower in Gazipur Metropolitan and Industrial Police units. We are reviewing these matters with great importance and have assured necessary consideration,” said Jahangir Alam.
He said the overall law-and-order situation remains satisfactory but has room for improvement. “Law enforcement operations are progressively enhancing security. To ensure continued progress, ‘Operation Devil Hunt’ is being conducted across the country,” he added.
Highlighting corruption as the nation’s most pressing issue, Jahangir Alam said, “If corruption is not eradicated at its roots, the country’s desired progress will remain unachievable. It is essential to curb corruption at all levels. Accordingly, instructions have been given to the Deputy Commissioners.”
Chaired by Cabinet Secretary Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid, the session was addressed, among others, by Khoda Bakhsh Chowdhury, special assistant to the chief adviser.
Among other attendees were Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Nasimul Gani, Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Dr Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian, Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam BPM, and heads of various departments and agencies under both ministries.