Minister contradicts RAB DG over reform

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Sunday said the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) is being reformed continuously.

“The government is reforming the elite force and making it people-oriented. The RAB is always under reform,” he told journalists after unveiling a research report on human trafficking at Hotel Pan Pacific Sonargaon.

The minister said, “We are always reforming RAB. We are modernising everything … if anyone from RAB is found involved in the crime, we are taking action as per  law. They are not beyond punishment.”

None can escape punishment after committing a punishable offense  in the RAB-Police, he said, adding, “No matter who they ( RAB-Police) are, none will go unpunished after committing a punishable crime.”

“If you visit jails, you will see many police-RAB members there. We’re not sparing anyone... we’re always reforming the RAB, which the United States tells about. We are modernising the RAB and doing what is necessary for this force.”

He said that as an elite force the government gives special responsibilities to RAB in different times. “They (RAB members) work according to their principles. We are studying the report, which come to us, if we find involvement of any RAB member in any issues, we check it... if there are mistakes we take steps,” he added. Replying to a question about RAB’s activities, the home minister said, “The United States trained the RAB when it was formed.”

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas, at a Dhaka event last Thursday, said that there has been no change in their position regarding the sanction on RAB. Haas said the sanction will remain in place until accountability and reforms are ensured.

On Saturday, newly-appointed Director General of Rapid Action Battalion, M Khurshid Hossain, said that there was no question of reforming the elite force, which has been credited in dealing with militancy and serious crimes in recent years.

“We are not doing anything for which reform is needed. We are working according to rules defined for us. We do not do anything in violation of law. In that case, there is no question of reforms,” he told reporters while paying tribute to the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Dhanmondi-32.

“Sanctions have been imposed, and the government has replied to that through official channel. This is not a challenge (for us),” he said, adding that the elite force would continue to play its role by maintaining law and order and tackling militancy, terrorism and drug.