Hasina asks RAB not to harass commoners

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday asked the members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) to make sure that common people do not fall victims to unnecessary torture and oppression during their duties, report agencies.

"You all must give attention to the fact that common people do not suffer...they must not face any unnecessary torture and oppression...,".

The prime minister came up with the observation while speaking at the special darbar marking the 13th founding anniversary of the RAB at its Kurmitola headquarters in the city.

Sheikh Hasina asked the members of the elite force to work more sincerely to ensure safety to public life and property.

"Moral turpitude may weaken the mentality of any force. You should always remember that you are the servant of the people. So you have to remain careful so that people are not harassed by your actions in anyway," she was quoted by BSS to have said.

However, the reports by the agencies did not say if the prime minister did make any direct reference to allegations of extra-judicial killings in recent times.

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), an elite anti-crime and anti-terrorism unit of the Bangladesh Police, was formed in 2004, comprising members of the Bangladesh Police, Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy, Bangladesh Air Force, Border Guard Bangladesh and Bangladesh Ansar.

"Members of a force must maintain discipline and obey the order of the higher authorities," the prime minister said, adding that "your salaries and other allowances are paid by the people. So, they should not be subjected to harassment in anyway," said Hasina.

"Your main task is to ensure security of the public life and property," she said hoping that the RAB members should be guided and discharging their duties as dictated by the laws, rules and principles.

According to BSS, praising the role of RAB in combating militancy and terrorism, the prime minister said the soil of Bangladesh, which was liberated at the cost of blood of millions of martyrs, would not be allowed to be used for any militant or terror activities.

She said the government has acquired land for RAB headquarters, training school and all battalions. The ECNEC has approved the infrastructure development project of RAB. Acquisition of modern equipments has been completed to enhance its capacity of identifying criminals, collecting finger print and telephone set tracking.

The prime minister said the government has allocated necessary budget to procure two helicopters for RAB to enhance its operational capacity. Now the RAB has acquired capacity of carrying out its operations on the ground, water and air, making it a three-dimensional force, she said.

Home minister Asaduzzman Khan Kamal and Rab director general Benazir Ahmed also spoke at the function.

Later, the prime minister inaugurated the newly constructed office of Rab-9 and unveiled the plaques of a number of Rab projects.

Earlier, a number of documentaries were screened on Rab activities.

Source: unb