Around 17,000 policemen were awarded punishments in last 15 months from January 2013 while 2,000 members of the Rapid Action Battalion in last 10 years from 2004 for their crimes and illicit acts, sources in police and RAB said.
But no punitive action was taken against anyone of the law enforcers for the killings of over 2,200 people in the name of ‘crossfire’, ‘line of fire’ or ‘encounters’ since 2004.
The maximum punishments given to the lawmen include suspension from their jobs and demotions while the minor punishments include rebukes or reprimands.
Police, RAB and Home Ministry sources said punitive action was taken against the law enforcers for their involvement in robberies, extortions, abuse of power, harassment and some other offences.
In most cases, allegations brought against policemen and RAB members are not proved for lack of witnesses as most of the complainants do not dare to give their depositions in fear of harassment, the sources added.
According to the police headquarters sources, punitive action had been taken against 17,000 policemen after complaints were filed against 53,422 policemen with ‘security cell’ at the Police Headquarters while punitive measures against many others were under process.
Of the total, around 800 policemen ranking from constables to inspectors were awarded major punishments, including dismissal of 95, while around 1,600 given minor punishments.
Besides, 10 officials ranking from assistant superintendent of police to above were awarded minor punishments and four others were dismissed from their services.
Earlier, 13,745 policemen were punished in 2012 while 11,000 in 2011.
Besides, punitive measures were taken against 1,949 RAB personnel since 2004. Of them, over 700 were awarded major punishments and the rest minor punishments.
Over 4,000 allegations were brought against RAB men in last ten years while 78 RAB men were sent to jail by courts while 76 suspended from their jobs. Besides, over 2,000 cases were filed against RAB and police in connection with extortion.
When asked whether any RAB men were punished for extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances, the RAB director said, “There is no existence of extrajudicial killing and forced disappearance in the laws of police and RAB.”
“But the RAB used to take punitive action against any RAB man if found guilty. None is spared by the RAB,” he added.
According to different human rights bodies, over 2,200 people were killed by the law enforcers, including RAB and police, since 2004.
Talking to the Dhaka Tribune, Executive Director of Ain O Salish Kendra Sultana Kamal said these incidents continue across the country as the persons responsible for such killings go unpunished.
