RAB beefs up security patrols
Staff Reporter :
With the parliamentary election on the horizon and declining security issues, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has taken proactive steps to safeguard the law and order situation and ensure safety and security of the people and their assets.
RAB sources said that that intensive ‘robust patrols’ will continue until the authorities concerned deem the situation to be normal.
This initiative came as the general election, scheduled for early next year, draws closer and the opposition political parties especially Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is in the field with intensified programmes including a 48-hour ultimatum for the release of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. The BNP has been vociferous for an unconditional release of the party chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in their continuous movement for one year.
But such ultimatum came when the US government has slapped the visa restrictions on undisclosed number of individuals including law enforces, government officials and others.
Right now BNP is actively pursuing a movement with a singular demand for a free and fair election under a caretaker government and the government is dead against it.
Apart from BNP, the ruling Awami League has also simultaneous programmes in the streets which always pose some threats of violence, leading to political mayhem.
On the other hand, International organisations including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have previously expressed concerns that the law and order situation in Bangladesh may deteriorate in the lead-up to the parliamentary election.
Amid this situation, it has been seen that RAB has beefed up security measures blanketing the whole country to maintain law and order and safety and security of ordinary people.
However, the elite force has not specified a definite timeline for the continuation of these robust patrols and check posts.
“We have enhanced security measures through robust patrolling and check posts in various areas under RAB-10 to maintain law and order, as well as the safety and security of the general people,” Aminul Islam, Senior Assistant Secretary of RAB-10, told the New Nation on Monday.
RAB-10’s jurisdiction covers areas including Jatrabari, Demra, Keraniganj, Munshiganj, Faridpur, and Rajbari.
In response to inquiries about the duration of these patrols, Islam stated, “We cannot provide a specified deadline for ending the robust patrolling.
It will continue until the relevant authorities determine that the law and order situation has returned to normal.”
Basing on the print and electronic media as well as social media, RAB-10 has observed an increase in incidents of snatching and mugging in the capital, leading to the registration of general diaries and cases with various police stations.
In response to these incidents, law enforcement agencies have heightened security measures.
Alongside the deployment of adequate forces, plainclothes detectives are conducting surveillance to monitor the situation closely.
Additionally, RAB-4 has initiated robust patrols and checkpoint management in key areas near the capital, including Mirpur, Gabtoli, Savar, and Manikganj, in anticipation of national-level events.
“These measures aim to ensure safety of the general public’s property and have already shown positive results, leading to a reduction in various crimes, including vandalism, theft, robbery, murder, and rape, as well as a decline in juvenile gang activities,” ASP Mazharul Islam of RAB-4 told the media.
RAB-4 emphasises its readiness to respond to any emergency situation, violence, or acts of sabotage, with helicopters, dog squads, and bomb disposal units on standby.
