The elite police force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has made its mark by helping restore people’s confidence in the ability of the state to contain crime and check criminals including top terrors and their godfathers. But now runs the risk of losing its character and ability to strike where necessary as the force is of late being used to act against ordinary crimes like theft and feuds over ownership of property.
Set up in early 2004 the RAB now has 12 units with a manpower of 8,920 out of 9,727 it is authorised to take, and is spread to different points in the country with the capability to strike against dangerous criminal activities at lightning speed.
The secrets behind the success of the RAB are its built-in strength created through its formation with fresh blood unaffected by other agencies, adequate logistics and financial support that have given the force operational strength and flexibility. A strong resolve of its commanders and all those behind the force’s launching and operation to make it a success helped the force do wonders. Bangladesh badly needed a force on which it can trust as defender of peace and tranquillity at a time when the enemies of this young nation were spreading imaginary stories about its failure as a state.
The RAB has attracted attention of people both at home and abroad. It has been both strongly criticised and equally praised. The weaknesses of the conventional anti-crime police squads, which looked difficult to overcome within a short span of time, had created the urgency of launching this force against terrorism.
Within a short span of just two years and a half the force has earned not only fame but also confidence of the people that it can be trusted to ensure peaceful living by keeping dangerous criminals, specially terrors, in check. It is no wonder, therefore, that the government honoured this force by offering the Independence Day Award early this year. Only criticism is that killing in crossfire should not be taken lightly.
RAB’s success in containing deadly bomb blasts that had shaken the confidence of the people in the ability of the law enforcing agencies to ensure free and peaceful movement of citizens within a span of just six months can only be termed exceptional. The discoveries of arms factories and depots all over the country, and hauling up of the organisers of the bomb blasts have come as a great relief to the people of all strata of the society.
RAB earned the confidence of the people at a time when they were losing their trust in the ability of the law enforcing agencies to deal with the menace of terrorism, extortion, murder and other forms of crime. This was because crimes and criminals were deeply rooted in the society. Armed Forces, BDR and Police through the Operation Clean Heart had carried out the first successful drive against dangerous crimes and criminals in the early part of the tenure of the present government. RAB has given a successful finishing touch.
The Operation Clean Heart and the successive operations by the RAB have restored people’s faith in the inevitability of punishment of crime and criminals, no matter how strong and influential the godfathers of criminals are. Restoration of confidence of people in their ability to sort out things is a great achievement. Possibly due to this the economy is showing signs of a higher rate of growth now, according to estimates made by multilateral donor agencies like the Asian Development Bank.
This useful force should be nurtured and looked after as an anti-terrorist force in a way that it is not weakened by involving it to deal with ordinary crimes and quarrels in society.
