RAB not lead agency in anti-graft drive: Benazir

Rapid Action Battalion director general Benazir Ahmed. Prothom Alo File Photo
Rapid Action Battalion director general Benazir Ahmed. Prothom Alo File Photo

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) director general Benazir Ahmed on Friday said the agency is just working as an assisting force in the ongoing anti-graft operation.

“Anti-graft operation going on across the country is part of the government’s zero-tolerance policy against corruption. RAB is not working as a lead agency in this operation, but working as assisting force following government orders. We would work with any government agency, whenever needed,” he said.

The RAB DG said this while talking to newsmen after inspecting overall security measures at the Banani puja mandap (pandal) in the capital in the morning.

Earlier on 28 September, home minister Asaduzzaman Khan told newsmen, “I want to make it clear, since RAB started the drive, it is RAB that will conduct the drives at casinos.”

When newsmen asked about whether Jubo League leader Ismail Hossain Chowdhury alias Samrat would be arrested, RAB DG Benazir said, “Let’s wait and see. Everything will be answered.”

When asked about a remark by former commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Asaduzzaman Mia, that “police alone are not responsible for casinos,” Benazir said, “I don’t know whether he said that or not. But as a senior police official, he could not have said that.”

About whether RAB is making a list of criminals who have not been arrested in the raids till now, the RAB DG said ongoing anti-graft initiative is far-reaching and RAB was not involved in it alone.

News agency BSS adds: Benazir said the prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s anti-graft initiative is far-reaching and people certainly will have benefit from it.

Comparing the number of puja mandaps raised before the tenure of the incumbent government and now, the RAB DG said it has now increased three times and this is one of the indications of people’s economic progress.

“Though we have shortage of personnel, but we are placing importance on overall security during puja. All the important puja mandaps will be under our surveillance and be monitored by RAB preventive patrol teams and exchange of intelligence. We will also deploy dog squads,” he said.