Public security stays Rab's main task
Says former chief
Staff Correspondent
The outgoing director-general (DG) of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) yesterday said the force's main task remains ensuring public security, no matter what the rights activists say. "We are trying to make sure that parents will not be in tension after sending their kids to schools and people will not be mugged," Anwarul Iqbal, the outgoing Rab DG told during a courtesy meeting with newsmen at Rab headquarters at Kurmitola. The outgoing Rab DG said that no government permission is required to file a case against Rab members. On shootings by Rab men, he said that in 61 cases Rab members were compelled to open fire. Of those, police and magistrates are carrying out investigations in 58 cases. "So far investigations in 35 cases have been completed, but we do not yet have any information regarding the results [of the investigations]," he said. Iqbal said so far 133 Rab members of ranks ranging from senior warrant officer to constable have been sent back to their parent organisations as a punitive measure. Of those, 57 committed serious crimes like robbery, corruption and bribery, and 76 anti-disciplinary acts. Additional DG of Rab Colonel Chowdhury Fazlul Bari, directors of different wings, deputy directors, and commanders in chiefs (CO) were also present at the meeting. About controversy surrounding Rab's role, Col Bari said, "Ask your parents and brothers and sisters. If any one of them says what Rab does is bad, I will take off my uniform and quit the job." Referring to newspaper reports that say Rab is more powerful than the police, Iqbal said Rab is a force under the police. "I do not think that Rab has been given more power than the police." Deputy Inspector General of police (DIG-Khulna Range) Abdul Aziz Sarkar, who is expected to join Rab in a day or two, will replace Iqbal, said sources. Iqbal has been transferred to the police headquarters. Regarding the Rab assault on The Daily Jugantor Chief Photographer SM Gorkey, the outgoing DG said after a thorough investigation they have transferred the officer concerned and punished the others involved in the incident. He said the Rab members will soon start visiting different schools to establish close rapport with the students. "I have instructed all commanding officers to visit schools in their areas and inquire about the students," Iqbal said adding that it is a system practised by many a modern nation. Besides, the Rab will introduce an under-14 football tournament for schoolboys each year.
| 
