Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has said the government will restructure the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in line with the recommendations of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
He made the announcement while briefing reporters after the ninth meeting of the Law and Order Advisory Committee at the Secretariat on Monday.
“A committee has already been formed to oversee RAB’s reorganization,” he said, adding that police personnel will no longer be allowed to carry lethal weapons.
The decision comes following a recommendation from the OHCHR, which in a report released on February 12 called for the disbanding of RAB for its alleged involvement in serious human rights violations.
The OHCHR report also recommended restricting the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) to border protection duties and confining the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) to military intelligence functions.
Welcoming the report, the adviser said it was a positive step, and the government has decided to act accordingly.
Turning to the readymade garment (RMG) sector, the adviser said wages and bonuses of garment workers must be paid before Eid-ul-Azha.
He warned of stern action if workers took to the streets with what he termed “irrational” demands.
Ahead of the Eid festivities, Jahangir also ordered the deployment of 100 Ansar members at each cattle market to curb extortion.
He also directed the authorities concerned to ensure smooth and secure travel for holidaymakers.
