Rapid Action Battalion or RAB is an anti-crime and anti-terrorism elite force in Bangladesh. Falling under the jurisdiction of the Bangladeshi Ministry of Home Affairs, it consists of members of the Bangladesh Army, Navy, Air Force and Police. It was formed on 26 March, 2004 and started its operations from 14 April, 2004.
Since its inception, the RAB has seized a total of 3149 illegal arms and more than 36000 rounds of ammunition. It has also had many notable arrests.
Although the RAB has been successful in apprehending several high-profile terrorists, including the infamous Bangla Bhai, Amnesty International has criticised the RAB's lack of accountability as it has been responsible for many deaths which have been attributed to crossfire.[cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4777526.stm|title='Top Bangladeshi militant' held|publisher=BBC News|date=6 March 2006] ][cite web|url=http://web.amnesty.org/report2005/bgd-summary-eng|title=Amnesty International Bangladesh Report 2005|publisher=Amnesty International|date=2005] There have also been many reports of arbitrary torture.][cite web|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/05/21/d7052101107.htm|title=Torture marks found on victim's body, protests go on|publisher=The Daily Star|date=2007-05-21] ]Despite protests from the main opposition party, the Awami League, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party denied that the RAB had been used for political ends.[cite web| url=http://www.unpo.org/article.php?id=1984|title=Rapid Action Battalion wont be used for political purpose| publisher=Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation| date=2005-02-18] ]According to The Daily Star, a Bangladeshi English-language newspaper, concern over extra-judicial killings is exceeded by a desire for law and order thus there is a "fair amount of public support for the Rab". [cite web|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/2004/11/21/d41121020131.htm|title=Rab and 'crossfire' killings|publisher=The Daily Star|date=2004-11-21] ]Weapons used by RAB
RAB members are better equipped and trained compared to other law enforcement agencies in Bangladesh. The following weapons are generally issued to them ( according to the Government ) -
*AK-47 assault rifles (both with fixed and folding buttstock
*Type 56 assault rifles - Chinese copy of the AK-47
*Heckler & Koch MP5K submachine guns (usually with 20 round magazine)
*Uzi submachine guns
*SIG P226 pistols
*Colt M1911 pistols
*Dragunov Sniper Rifle (actually Chinese made copy known as the Type 79)
*Remington 870 shotguns
*RPG-7 Rocket-propelled grenade launchers
Also when employed for crowd control purpose RAB members use traditional weapons like batons and tasers
Notable arrests
Here is a table containing details of major arrests by the RAB according to their official website: [ [http://www.rab.gov.bd/rabacheivement.html www.rab.gov.bd] ]
References
External links
* [http://www.rab.gov.bd Official website of Rapid Action Battalion]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4522734.stm "Bangladesh's feared elite police," BBC Report]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4800948.stm "Blast kills 'Bangladesh militant', BBC Report]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4761770.stm "Top Bangladesh militant captured," BBC Report]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4527852.stm "Bangladesh 'militant leader' held," BBC report]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4777526.stm "'Top Bangladeshi militant' held," BBC Report]
* [http://www.saag.org/papers12/paper1158.html "Getting Away With Murder: Politicisation of Crime in Bangladesh," SAAG ]
* [http://www.article2.org/mainfile.php/0504/244/ Fighting lawlessness with lawlessness (or) the rise & rise of the Rapid Action Battalion] (Highly Critical)
* [http://www.article2.org/ LAWLESS LAW-ENFORCEMENT & THE PARODY OF JUDICIARY IN BANGLADESH] (Highly Critical)
* [http://www.article2.org/mainfile.php/0504/245/ Perverted policing & meaningless magistrates: True stories from Bangladesh] (Highly Critical)
