RAB taking ‘special measures’ for Pahela Baishakh security

“We do not feel any threat,” says the force’s Director General Md Ahsan Habib Palash

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has announced that it will take “special measures”, as it does every year, to ensure the security of celebrations during Pahela Baishakh, the first day of the Bengali New Year.

RAB Director General Md Ahsan Habib Palash said, "We do not feel any threat."

He, however, added that intelligence and surveillance operations will continue to ensure that no group can create any “unpleasant situation” during the celebrations.

The RAB chief spoke to the media after inspecting the security preparations for Pahela Baishakh at Ramna Batamul in Dhaka on Monday.

He said 15 battalions of RAB will be responsible for “ensuring overall security” for Pahela Baishakh celebrations. They will remain until the end of the events.

In addition, a total of 308 patrol teams, including 181 pickup patrol teams, 127 motorcycle patrol teams, and plainclothes RAB personnel will be on duty.

The RAB chief said it had taken “appropriate measures” to ensure security at places where events are being organised in Dhaka, including Shahbagh, TSC, Suhrawardy Udyan, Rabindra Sarobar, Hatirjheel, Manik Mia Avenue, Bangla Academy and Ramna Batamul.

Palash said, "Checkposts, patrols and observation posts have been arranged. RAB's Bomb Disposal Unit and Dog Squad are continuing sweeping activities at key locations in the capital.

In addition to conducting sweeping operations, the Bomb Disposal Unit and Dog Squad have been kept ready at all times to deal with any situation."

The head of this specialised force said, "The RAB Special Commando Force has been kept ready to deal with any kind of sabotage or attack. The battalions are coordinating their duties with local public representatives and law enforcing agencies through their respective control rooms."

He also said security arrangements across the country are being monitored from the control room of RAB headquarters.

The director general said, "After analysing intelligence information, cyber monitoring and other information, no specific threat of sabotage centred on the Pahela Baishakh celebrations has been uncovered so far. The RAB is ready to foil any sabotage plan."

According to him, the RAB Cyber Monitoring Team is continuing to work so that no one can create an “undesirable” situation by spreading rumours, provocative information, or fake news centred on the Pahela Baishakh celebrations.

Apart from this, the top RAB official said that necessary measures will be taken to prevent harassment or sexual harassment of women attending various events.

Palash told the public, "If you receive any information regarding a general threat, or if you are subjected to any kind of harassment, you must inform the RAB or any other law enforcement officer on duty. In light of the allegations, we will take strict legal action against those involved."

In response to a question about the mob killing of a “Pir” (a Sufi spiritual guide) in Kushtia on Saturday, he said: "We are keeping an eye on it. If a case is filed, the necessary action will be taken after analysing the names of the accused. An investigation into the incident is underway."

On Sunday, Emon alias Alex Emon -- the leader of the teenage gang Alex Group -- was hacked to death amid a “power struggle” in Dhaka's Mohammadpur. After the incident, the police said that there 18 cases had been filed against Emon, including murder charges.

When asked how a suspect in so many cases had not been detained, the RAB director general countered: “Will the police take responsibility or will RAB take responsibility?”

“You can’t ask me for an answer to this question. I won’t take responsibility either. My job is to arrest the criminal when he commits a crime, when I find him. If you ask them how a person with 18 cases against him had not been detained, then I think you will get the proper answer. There are 18 cases against him because he had previously been arrested.”