Former army chief Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan has called for the abolition of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), alleging their involvement in enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.
He made the remarks while testifying before International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Monday in a crimes against humanity case against former army officer Major General (retd) Ziaul Ahsan. The tribunal is headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mazumdar.
Ziaul Ahsan faces allegations of involvement in more than a hundred cases of enforced disappearances and killings during the Awami League government.
Appearing for the second day as a prosecution witness, Iqbal Karim said RAB should be abolished immediately. “If that is not possible, army personnel currently serving in RAB should be withdrawn,” he said.
He also called for the abolition of DGFI, claiming the agency had “lost its legitimacy to exist” due to what he described as a culture of killings.
The former army chief alleged that during his tenure, he received information suggesting that junior army officers serving in RAB were being “misguided” and involved in unlawful killings.
He recounted several instances in which officers allegedly admitted to participating in so-called crossfire incidents.
Iqbal Karim further claimed he had heard allegations that some victims were disposed of in rivers after being killed.
Referring to the 2013 Shapla Chattar incident involving Hefazat-e-Islam, he said a photograph he saw of certain officers was taken against the backdrop of the violence that occurred that day.
He told the tribunal that in response to such incidents, he had sought to discourage the posting of army officers to RAB, DGFI and BGB. He said he faced pressure over the decision, including requests from senior officials and the then prime minister to provide officers to RAB, but maintained his stance until retirement.
“I believe we must take this opportunity to correct ourselves,” he said, adding that accountability would strengthen rather than weaken the armed forces.
The trial proceedings are ongoing.
