The BNP is now raising its voice against elite force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) which was formed during the last BNP-Jamaat government. The party has questioned whether the elite force is necessary. BNP Acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, “It is high time for us to think if we need this elite force. The RAB now faces many criminal charges. Its members are brutally killing citizens instead of protecting them.”He raised the question in the wake of the termination of three RAB officials for their alleged involvement in the Narayanganj seven murder. “The government has, in fact, admitted that RAB members were involved in the incident by removing them. It has also proved the government’s direct link to the incident,” he said.The RAB-11 commander and two other officers were removed on Wednesday after they had been accused of taking money to abduct and kill seven people in Narayanganj. “Through this step, the government has admitted its responsibility,” said Mirza Fakhrul.The RAB was formed on 26 March in 2004 and began its operation on April 14, 2004.Mirza Fakhrul demanded resignation of the government over the law enforcers’ involvement in the killings of high-profile persons. The government is using the RAB, police and, even BGB members to carry out incidents of killing, abduction and enforced disappearance in a bid to stay in power illegally, he alleged. “People across the country have raised questions whether such type of law enforcement agencies are required. We respect public opinion,” he said.
