Police will work under EC during polls: Outgoing RAB DG

The police will follow the instructions given by the Election Commission (EC) in the upcoming national elections. 

The outgoing Director General (DG) of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun said this at a views-exchange meeting at its Media Centre in the capital’s Karwan Bazar on Wednesday morning. 

The meeting was organised ahead of his joining as the Inspector General of Police (IGP) following his promotion after serving as RAB DG for more than two years. He will take charge as the new IGP on 30 September.

He said, the police remain under the EC during elections. The long-standing practice of the police will be followed in this regard. At the same time, I will try to keep the law and order situation normal.

In response to a question whether the number of deaths in gunfights or crossfires by RAB has decreased due to the US sanctions, he said, we use force only when necessary. We do not use force where it is not necessary. 

“RAB uses whatever force is necessary to control the situation, in accordance with the law. When we are attacked, we have to fight back. Criminals attack us to avoid being caught. Then RAB members are forced to take measures according to the country’s existing law,” he added. 

The elite force has arrested a total of 36 thousand drug dealers in the last two and a half years and drugs worth Tk 2 thousand 300 crore have been seized, he also added. 

RAB’s Media and Legal Wing Director Commander Khandaker Al Moeen was also present among others during the meeting.