Staff Reporter :
The elite force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested at least 36,000 drug dealers in the country in the last two years. Drugs worth Tk three crore have also been seized during this time.
The outgoing Director General (DG) of RAB Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun said this at a views-exchange meeting with journalists in its Media Centre in the city’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, during my two years of duty, I have taken many initiatives to stop drug smuggling. The war against drugs is a global war. The whole world is fighting against drugs.
Most of the inmates in jail are accused of different drug cases. Our Prime Minister has announced zero tolerance against these drugs. Drug problem is a social problem. Everyone should be responsible.
Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun said, “It is my responsibility to inquire about my child, our teacher has the responsibility, public representatives have also the responsibility. We will all work together in that way. There is no way to say that drug smuggling is not under control. Whenever we get information, we take action.
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 we feel 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.
In response to another question, he said that police will follow the instructions given by the Election Commission (EC) in the upcoming national elections.
He said, the police generally 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.
RAB’s Media and Legal Wing Director Commander Khandaker Al Moeen was also present among others during the meeting.
