POLICE has arrested four Rab members in the capital’s Hatirjheel on Friday on charges of abduction, torture, and asking ransom from a man. The episode has once again proved that without accountability power is bound to corrupt. There had been allegations for some time against a section of Rab of indulging in different kinds of irregularities. Various rights groups for many years have been saying that some Rab men were involved in petty crimes, including, killing, abduction, snatching, drug dealings using the state apparatus and taking advantage of impunity.
Police said in the present case there were three other suspects, one of whom, a civilian woman, got arrested as well. The arrested men were handed over to their force after a case was filed with Hatirjheel Police Station. But their names and designations were not mentioned in the case. They, it is alleged, kidnapped a man and demanded ransom. Police held two of the accused from the scene after the man’s sister informed them. Three more were detained later. Police sources said seven people were found involved in the whole affair. Police officers with knowledge of the incident said the accused men demanded Tk 2 crore from the victim who eventually settled for Tk 12 lakh. Police held two of the accused with the money in a CNG-run auto-rickshaw. Hatirjheel police detained them. Rab said they are investigating the incident adding ‘After the probe if any of our members are found guilty they will face action.’
The Rab officer who demanded ransom allegedly warned the victim’s sister not to inform the police or the DB of the matter. Over the phone, he said, “if you inform the police your brother will be dead”. Victim Tamzid Hossain’s sister also got the chance of hearing his screams as he was tortured. Many such stories of torture, agony, enforced disappearances fill pages of newspapers. But few victims escape unhurt. There are also civilian gangs engaged in such crimes but go unpunished. People expect the law enforcing agencies to ensure the safety and security of every citizen. This is the purpose of their services maintained at the cost of tax payer’s money. We want to have the promised state, where citizens are the true owners of the republic.
