There are allegations against the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) of committing extrajudicial killings, extortion, and even robbery in the name of crossfire, which is a form of killing that is done in exchange for money. There are horrific allegations against this force, such as the killing of seven people in Narayanganj and drowning them in a river in 2014 and the direct shooting of a municipal councilor in Teknaf.
However, RAB is the name of fear for notorious terrorists, extortionists, and various criminals. In the beginning, many notorious terrorists were killed in crossfire with RAB, so this force became popular overnight. RAB has achieved great success in eradicating militancy, drugs, illegal weapons, and human trafficking. In addition, RAB’s long-term efforts to free the Sundarbans from pirates have been successful.
Recently, there has been discussion about reforming or abolishing the RAB force, but even if it is not completely abolished, the RAB’s uniform and logo may change.
The law and order situation in the country has deteriorated drastically since the BNP-led four-party coalition government came to power after winning the 2001 elections. At that time, there were one after another murders on the streets of Dhaka. To bring this situation under control, Operation Clean Heart was launched under the supervision of the army in 2003. Later, in 2004, when the army returned to the barracks, the Rapid Action Battalion started its journey.
Since the start of RAB’s activities, the amount of crime and extortion in the country has decreased significantly, which has increased the popularity of RAB among the people and brought relief to the public in suppressing terrorism. RAB’s first crossfire began with the notorious terrorist Picchi Hannan.
At that time, there were some crossfires, and then there were incidents of distributing sweets in different areas. Although the journey started with 6 battalions, RAB currently has 15 battalions in the whole country, but criticism has started against RAB due to various controversial activities.
Gunfights between police and terrorists have been going on for a long time, but in the case of RAB, crossfire has become a regular occurrence. According to the human rights organization Odhikar, from the formation of RAB until the end of the BNP’s term in power in 2006, 380 people were killed in crossfire alone.
Which attracted international attention at the time, a cable sent to Washington by the then US ambassador to Dhaka mentioned that the most well-known feature of RAB was carrying out extrajudicial killings in the name of crossfire.
In addition, various allegations were made about bribery extortion, and land grabbing. A US message dated 23 August 2005 stated that some RAB members were accused of accepting bribes and even robbery. Over time, news of RAB members being killed in crossfire at various times began to be published regularly.
Serious allegations are being raised that the killings are being carried out in exchange for money and the incident is being continued as a crossfire. One such controversial incident came to light in 2014 when seven people from Narayanganj were killed and thrown into the Shitalakshya River.
The horrific incident came to light after their bodies were found floating in the river, and the family of one of the deceased, Nazrul Islam, complained.
RAB picked him up and killed him. In a press conference, Nazrul’s father-in-law Shahidul Islam claimed that the killings were carried out by paying a huge amount of bribes to RAB officials. In the wake of this incident, the High Court sentenced 15 people, including a senior official involved, to death. The case is still awaiting disposal in the Appellate Division.
The controversy over RAB intensified after the audio of Teknaf councilor Ekramul Haque’s killing was released in 2018, in which the audio recorded a phone call from his family at the moment Ekramul was shot.
Another serious allegation against RAB is the removal of opposition party leaders and activists on behalf of the government. Such allegations came to the media, especially around the 2014 and 2018 elections. In 2021, the United States suddenly imposed sanctions on RAB and 16 of its officers for alleged serious human rights violations.
The US statement said that Bangladeshi non-governmental organizations have alleged that since 2009, RAB and other law enforcement agencies have been responsible for nearly 600 extrajudicial killings and 600 more killings, with RAB deaths in crossfire almost non-existent since the US sanctions.
The recent Commission on Investigation of Disappearances reported that 1,600 complaints of disappearances were filed from 2009 to 2024, of which 400 complaints were investigated and RAB was found to be involved in 172 incidents. The study revealed that the highest number of disappearances occurred between 2019 and 2021.
Currently, there is a debate on the restructuring of RAB. According to experts, the force should not be abolished but reformed to ensure accountability. Along with changing the uniform logo of the police force, changes may be made to the uniform of RAB and the positive steps taken by RAB to maintain law and order, as well as examples of humanitarian activities. Senior police officials claim that the entire work of RAB should not be judged by a few incidents.
Politicians can use members of the force in isolation for personal gain, but it is not the overall issue. Although there is some controversy, the success of RAB is no less. RAB is playing an active role against social problems such as militancy, drug, illegal weapons and human trafficking and maintaining communal harmony.
RAB’s long-standing efforts to free the pirates of the Sundarbans have been successful. So far, a total of 328 pirates have surrendered in various RAB operations. RAB has helped them return to normal life through rehabilitation.
RAB’s operations in drug eradication are commendable. They have recovered a large amount of drugs and arrested hundreds of drug dealers. Hok Rape is playing a significant role in preventing human trafficking. Several trafficking gangs have been caught in RAB operations and more than a hundred trafficked persons have been rescued. In addition, RAB’s Kishoreganj eradication operation is paying special attention and has arrested members of various juvenile gangs through multiple operations.
