For MA Latif, a ruling Awami League MP from the Chittagong-11 constituency, the victims of extra-judicial killings are animals in human form and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) is doing a commendable job by hunting down the top-listed criminals.
Vouching for what he described as the hunt for criminals, the lawmaker has come forth with an exalting proposal that the very name of RAB should stand for 'rahmat of Allah for Bangladesh (mercy of Allah for Bangladesh)'.
“RAB is a menace to the criminals and a solace to the masses. To me, the elaboration of RAB is Rahmat of Allah for Bangladesh,” he said while addressing a programme at Rab-7 Office in Patenga area of the port city on Saturday where seized narcotics were destroyed.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and RAB Director General Benazir Ahmed were present at the programme.
MA Latif also came down hard on those who are criticising the alleged extra-judicial killings by the law enforcement agencies.
“When the police or the RAB hunt down the criminals, some intellectuals of our country criticise it as an act of extra-judicial killing in the TV talk shows,” he said.
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“No extra-judicial killing is taking place. Those who are becoming victims of extra-judicial killings are animals in human form. The RAB hunt down the criminals who are accused in 10 to 20 cases,” argued the lawmaker.
The lawmaker went on saying: “The criminals manage to slip through the loopholes of the law. The members of the elite force are helping create a safe atmosphere for the people by hunting down the hardened criminals. The countrymen pray for those who hunt down the criminals.”
Latif in his speech also posed a question to the intellectuals who speak in favour of the criminals. “What would you say if your brother, sister or parents were killed or abducted?”
“Coming out of jail on bail, they take part in criminal activity in the society with renewed vigour. Can the intellectuals return the terrorists to an honest life?”
“It is true that some of them get derailed on some occasions. All things considered, we cannot but appreciate the activities of the force [RAB],” said Latif.
It may be mentioned that a total of four cases were lodged against MA Latif in 2016 for distorting the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Bangabandhu’s face was allegedly tagged on to the figure of Latif in some festoons publicised by the lawmaker in February, 2016. In the image, Bangabandhu's face was used on a body wearing salwar and sneakers.
Chittagong city unit AL President ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury from a rally at Laldighi Maidan on February 15 that year also declared MA Latif persona non grata for his alleged defamation of Bangabandhu.
Thursday, June 04, 2026
