Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Mohammad Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has instructed that the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) should not be used for political purposes.
The directive was issued during a meeting with senior RAB officials at their headquarters in Uttara, Dhaka, on Tuesday.
The Adviser emphasised that RAB should stick to its original apolitical mandate. However, he noted that this mandate has not been followed, leading to public concerns that RAB has become involved in illegal activities such as abductions and killings due to its use for political purposes.
Jahangir Alam Chowdhury pointed out that RAB initially gained respect and trust as a disciplined force by appointing top officers from the police and armed forces. But, the force’s reputation has suffered since political considerations began influencing appointments.
The Adviser stressed that RAB can regain its lost respect through proper conduct and adherence to the law. He highlighted the importance of operating within legal boundaries, rejecting illegal orders, and avoiding unauthorized detentions, crossfire, abductions, and killings.
The meeting was attended by RAB’s Director General AKM Shahidur Rahman and other senior officials. During the session, the Adviser was briefed on RAB’s activities. After the meeting, he signed the RAB's visitor book and participated in a photo session with the officials.
