Rab
2 ‘militants’ arrested from Kutupalong Rohingya camp after 'gunfight’, Rab says
Members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) today (January 23, 2023) arrested two suspected members of new militant group 'Jamatul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya' after a gunfight at Kutupalong Rohingya camp in Ukhia upazila of Cox's Bazar.
The arrestees were identified as Ronobir, a Shura member and head of the armed wing of the militant group, and his associate Bashar, a bomb-making expert.
Read more: 12 militants, 14 KNF members arrested so far in anti-militancy drive in Bandarban: RAB
A team of Rab-15 conducted a drive in Kutupalong Rohingya camp this morning, said ASP Abu Salam Chowdhury from Cox's Bazar Rab-15.
Sensing the presence of law enforcers, the militants opened fire on them, forcing the Rab personnel to fire back, he added.
Rab arrested the duo along with arms and explosives from a den in the camp following the gunfight. Details will be revealed at a press briefing at Ukhiya Rohingya camp area, the officer said.
Read more: 3 ‘members of new militant outfit’ held with arms, explosives in Bandarban
Rab made ‘tremendous progress’ in ‘respecting rights’ while performing duties: Donald Lu observes
Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu has appreciated the “tremendous progress” made by Rab in “respecting human rights” while performing its duties.
“We had quite a good discussion about the Rab. If you have seen the statement this week by the Human Rights Watch, they recognised and we recognised tremendous progress in the area of reducing extra judicial killings by the Rab,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today.
“This is amazing work. It shows the Rab is able to carry out its important counterterrorism and law enforcement function while respecting human rights,” Lu added.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen also spoke on the occasion.
The senior US official said they had “very honest and open” discussions with the Bangladesh foreign minister and foreign secretary.
“We have expressed our commitment to democracy and human rights. We will speak when we see problems and when we can offer suggestions. We will stand up for freedom of speech, freedom of expression. And we look forward to working very closely with our partners here in Bangladesh,” Lu said.
Regarding the labour rights issue, he said it is important for Bangladesh and for trade relationships.
“I had the honour of sitting down this morning with (PM’s adviser) Salman F Raman to talk about the way forward, so that we can cooperate on improvement of labour rights in this country. I’m very confident we’re going to make progress this year,” said the US official.
INDO-PACIFIC STRATEGY
Asked whether the US wants Bangladesh to join the Indo-Pacific Strategy, Lu said they had a “wonderful discussion” on the Indo-Pacific Strategy. “It’s a strategy, it’s not a club. We don’t join.”
Regarding restoration of GSP (generalised system of preferences) facilities for Bangladesh, the US official said they are still waiting for the Congress to authorise GSP for any country.
“We are working very closely with the government of Bangladesh,” Lu said, adding that Bangladesh will be the first country on the list if the Congress authorises.
“I am here to strengthen the friendship with Bangladesh when the world is struggling to establish peace and justice,” he said before taking questions.
Talking to reporters, Foreign Minister Momen said, “I am very happy. We had very constructive discussions. The US is our old friend and our relationship turned deeper over the last 50 years. We want to make the relationship much deeper in the next 50 years.”
Momen said the US side invited them to visit this month or in April. “This engagement is very effective.”
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen said they discussed all issues of mutual interest – trade, investment, labour rights, sanctions, human rights, democracy and development, as well as Bangladesh’s views on the Indo-Pacific.
“Through our sincere efforts, we will be able to elevate our relations to a higher level,” said the foreign secretary.
Read more: US committed to continued cooperation with Bangladesh to improve labor rights: Donald Lu
LABOUR RIGHTS
The United States is “committed” to continued cooperation with Bangladesh in its efforts to improve labour rights, Lu said.
At a meeting with Bangladeshi labour rights leaders, Lu listened to their experiences and concerns.
Earlier in the morning, he had a breakfast meeting with Prime Minister’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman.
The US Assistant Secretary had a meeting over dinner with Foreign Minister Momen at his residence on Saturday night.
Key issues of bilateral relations were discussed during Lu’s over one-hour stay at the foreign minister’s official residence, a diplomatic source told UNB.
Lu, who arrived in Dhaka on Saturday evening, directly went to the foreign minister’s residence accompanied by US Ambassador to Bangladesh, Peter Haas.
The US senior official is visiting Bangladesh to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relationship, expand economic engagement, and go over the labour and human rights situation.
12 militants, 14 KNF members arrested so far in anti-militancy drive in Bandarban: RAB
Twelve members of new militant group 'Jamatul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya' and 14 members of armed separatist group Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) have been arrested so far in the ongoing anti-militancy drive that started on October 10,2022.
Commander Khandaker Al Moin, director of Rapid Action Battalion’s (RAB) legal and media wing, disclosed this at a press briefing over the arrest at zila parishad office in the town on Thursday.
He briefed reporters after the arrest of five suspected members of new militant outfit 'Jamatul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya' from Thanchi and Rowangchhari upazilas of Bandarban.
Read More: 3 ‘members of new militant outfit’ held with arms, explosives in Bandarban
They were brought to the Rab office in the town in the morning.
“Besides, we have a list of 55 people who took training in the hills being inspired by militancy. Legal steps will be taken against those who have been arrested, said Moin.
The ban on tourism in Rowangchhari, Thanchi and Ruma upazilas is still on as the anti-militancy drive is continuing in the hill district.
The main purpose of the drives by the elite force was to capture those who are taking shelter and taking training there after tracing their location, said Moin.
Read More: Bandarban: Ban on tourism in 3 upazilas extended till Dec 11
In 2021, the Amir of Jamatul Ansar fil Hindal Sharqiya had an agreement with the CHT-based armed group KNF regarding militant training in the area till next year. As per the agreement, Tk 3 lakh per month and food expenses of all KNF members were to be borne, the RAB official said in a press briefing last year.
Rab arrests 25 'muggers' from Dhaka in a night
Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) Friday said they arrested 25 members, including the mastermind, of an "organised mugging gang" during separate raids at different areas of the capital on Thursday night.
Several teams of Rab-3 conducted drives at different spots in the capital's Motijheel, Shahbagh, Sabujbagh, Mugda, Wari, Khilgaon and Shahjahanpur and arrested the muggers.
Sharp weapons, cash, and mobile phones were seized from the arrestees during the drives, Rab said.
"During interrogation, the arrestees said they lurk in the alleys of the capital. They mug pedestrians, rickshaw and auto-rickshaw passengers, brandishing arms and sharp weapons," Bina Rani Das, operations officer of Rab-3, said.
Legal action was taken against the arrestees, she added.
Read: 31 members of mugging gang arrested in capital: Rab
The muggers are active in and around Khilgaon, Malibagh Rail Gate, Dainik Bangla intersection, Pir Jangi Mazar crossing, Kamalapur Battala, Motijheel Calvert Road, Nasirertek of Hatirjheel, Shahbagh, Gulbagh, Rajuk crossing, UBL crossing, Paltan intersection, Golap Shah Mazar crossing, High Court crossing, Abdul Gani Road, Maniknagar Stadium, Nandipara Bridge, and Basabo crossing from evening till dawn.
Rab-3 arrested more than 200 hundred muggers in 58 drives conducted against them in the last six months, Bina said.
Fugitive death row convict held in N’ganj
Members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) have arrested a fugitive death row convict in several murder cases, including four murders of Kurigram, from Kanchpur area of Narayanganj.
The arrestee is hired terrorist Palash Gazi alias Jalal Gazi alias Daat Bhanga Palash. He used to work as a hired terrorist in various crimes including robbery, drug peddling, and theft since 2010.
Tipped off, Rab members conducted a drive at Kanchpur area on Monday night and arrested Palash Gazi, said Commander Khandaker Al Moin, director legal and media wing of the Rab headquarters at its Karwan Bazar media center on Tuesday.
Read more: 2 fugitive convicts held in Dhaka
He is a death row convict in the case of killing four members of the same family in Kurigram. Rab said that the murder was carried out due to a land dispute between two brothers.
In November 2013, Mumtaz Uddin made a contract with Palash Gazi to kill his younger brother Sultan Ahmed in Bhurungamari area of Kurigram following a land dispute.
Under the leadership of Palash, Nazrul alias Manju, Amir, Zakir, Hasmat and Mumtaz planned to kill Sultan on January 13, 2014. On the following day, Palash's other associates, wearing masks with local weapons, attacked Sultan’s house.
They hacked Sultan, his wife Hazera Begum, their grandchildren Rumana and Anika to death, said the Rab commander.
Sultan's son Hafizur Rahman filed a murder case at Bhurungamari police station.
Read more: Crimes against humanity: Fugitive death row convict held in Savar
Later, police arrested two people in another murder case in Bhurungamari area. At one stage of interrogation, they admitted the involvement in the four murders and revealed the names of their associates.
Investigating officer of the case submitted a chargesheet against seven people including Mumtaz Uddin, Palash Gazi in the court.
On February 16 last year, the court sentenced six accused, including the accused killer Mumtaz Uddin, the fugitive Palash Gazi, and acquitted another.
The Rab officer also said Palash Gazi and his associates killed a microbus driver Nurul Haque and left the body in a pond in Mirzapur area of Sherpur in Bogra to steal the microbus in July 2015.
In this case, the court sentenced a total of nine accused, including the Palash Gazi, to life imprisonment last November.
Among the eight other convicts, Nazrul Islam Manju and Amir Hamza were also convicted over the brutal murder of four members of the same family in Bhurungamari area of Kurigram, said the officer.
‘Hizb ut-Tahrir member’ held in city
Members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) have arrested a member of banned militant outfit Hizb ut-Tahrir from Kamrangirchar of the capital.
The arrestee is Nafiz Salam Uday, 45, a resident of city’s Adabor area. He is an active member of ‘Dawat’ and finance department of banned militant outfit Hizb ut-Tahrir.
Read more: Rab DG calls escape of two militants a 'failure'
Tipped off, a special team of the Anti-Terrorism Cell of Rab-2 conducted a drive at Kamrangirchar on Sunday noon and arrested Nafiz, said Senior Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Md Fazlul Haque, senior additional director (Media) of Rab-2.
There are three cases against him at Mohammadpur and Adabar police stations and a police assault case at Mohammadpur police station.
An arrest warrant was also issued by Anti-Terrorism Tribunal against the arrestee. He remained fugitive for eight years.
Read more: Militants’ escape: 10 Ansar-al-Islam members put on another 5-day remand
He used to distribute anti-state leaflets and invite people to various mosques after keeping contact with the Ameer of the Bangladesh branch of Hizb ut-Tahrir and other group leaders, he added.
Legal steps will be taken against the arrestee, said the officer.
“Besides, efforts are on to arrest the other members of Hizb ut-Tahrir according to Nafiz’s information,” he added.
Rab launches special drive to free Sundarbans from robbers
Members of the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) have launched a special drive to free the world’s largest mangrove forest, Sundarbans, from robbers – to ensure security of fishermen.
A special team named “Elite Tigers” of the battalion launched the drive on Saturday noon through a long range patrolling in Sharankhola, Joymoni, Baroitala, Andarmanik, Mrigamari and others spots. The drive will continue while another team, “Bengal Tigers”, with trawlers is kept standby to response to emergency calls.
Robbers abducted 11 fishermen from different areas of the Sundarbans between December 13 and 18.
Read more: 11 kidnapped fishermen rescued in Sundarbans: Police
Last Wednesday, police claimed that the robbers left the fishermen in the face of their drives. Some of the rescued fisherman, however, claimed that they were released after paying ransom to the abductors. Police denied this claim.
Commandant Md Badruzzoha, of Rab-6, said they launched the special drive to bring the robbers, who recently kidnapped fishermen, under the law through identification.
Read more: Killing tigers in the Sundarbans: Offenders get off scot-free for lack for evidence
“We are determined to free the Sundarbans from the criminals at any cost,” Lt Col Mostak Ahmed, commandant of the Rab-6, said.
The Rab officer further said that law enforcers will always stand by the fishermen to provide security.
Fardin Noor: Home Minister puts faith in RAB, DB investigation
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Friday said that the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and Detective Branch (DB) of police must have revealed the reason behind the death of Buet student Fardin Noor Parash after proper analysis.
He said this in a response to reporters after paying homage at the Martyrs' Memorial of Rajarbagh Police Line in the capital marking of the Victory Day.
Regarding DB’s report revealing Fardin’s death by suicide, the minister said, “Rab and DB police are working on this case. They can say it well.”
Read more: DB to apprise court that Bushra has no link to Fardin’s death, says its chief
After a long 38-day investigation, on December 14, Additional Commissioner (Detective Branch) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Mohammad Harunur Rashid claimed that Fardin died by suicide after scrutinizing the footages regarding Fardin’s movement before his death.
Then he went to Sultana Kamal Bridge around 2:34 am on November 4. He was alone on the bridge till 2:37am, he said.
“He didn’t know swimming and we believe that Fardin committed suicide by jumping off Sultana Kamal Bridge,” he said.
However, Fardin’s father Kazi Nuruddin said that his son did not kill himself, he was murdered.
Meanwhile, DB police will give a report to the court that Amatullah Bushra, a 3rd year student of East West University who is now in jail, has no connection with Fardin’s death, said DB chief on Thursday.
Read more: Fardin didn’t commit suicide, he was murdered, claims father
Fardin was a 3rd year student of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology’s (Buet) civil engineering department and a resident of Qutubpur area in Narayanganj's Fatullah.
Police recovered Fardin’s body from the Shitalakhkhya River, behind a cotton mill at Siddhirganj, on November 7, three days after he went missing.
Sheikh Farhad, a physician at Narayanganj General Hospital where the autopsy was done, said there were several injury marks on Fardin’s head and body.
Kazi Nuruddin Rana, Fardin’s father, filed a case in connection with his son’s killing with Rampura Police Station on the same day and the case was later transferred to Detective Branch (DB) Police.
31 members of mugging gang arrested in capital: Rab
Members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) said on Friday that they arrested 31 members of an organised snatching gang from several areas of the capital on Thursday night.
A team of the battalion led by its Commandant Lieutenant Colonel Arif Mohiuddin Ahmed conducted drives in the capital’s Matijhel, Shahbagh, Sabujbagh, Paltan, Jatrabari and Bangshal on Thursday night and arrested the snatchers.
Read more: RAB: 26 held for extortion and snatching in the city
Three anti-cutters, 14 blades, two knives, four switch gears, 37 mobile phone sets, some weapons used in snatching and Tk 27,073 in cash were recovered from the arrestees during the drives, a Rab press release said.
Buet student Fardin died after jumping off bridge, Rab says
Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) student Fardin Noor Parash died after jumping off Sultana Kamal Bridge, Rab has said.
Commander Khandaker Al Moin, legal and media wing director of Rab, disclosed the information at a press conference at Rab headquarters around over one month after the body of the student was recovered from the Shitalakhkhya river on November 7.
On November 4, the day he went missing, Fardin dropped off his girlfriend Amatullah Bushra, a 3rd year student of East West University who is now in jail, in Rampura around 9pm.
After that he went to a bridge in Keraniganj and then to Johnson Road, Gulistan and Jatrabari respectively till 2am.
Then he went to Sultana Kamal Bridge around 2:34 am. He was alone on the bridge till 2:37am, the Rab official said.
Read more: It’s disappointing, no headway in probe in a month, says Fardin’s father
Police recovered Fardin’s body from the Shitalakhkhya river, behind a cotton mill at Siddhirganj, on November 7, three days after he went missing.
Fardin jumped off the bridge after roaming around in Dhaka, the Rab officer said, adding they scrutinized his whereabouts.
The Rab officer said they tightened intelligence surveillance to figure out the reason behind the death.
He said they submitted all relevant documents including CCTV footage and digital footprints to the investigation officer of the case on Wednesday.
The victim’s father filed a murder case against some unidentified people at Rampura police station on November 9.
Read more: Fardin Noor Parash died by suicide: DB
On the following day, police arrested Bushra from her residence in connection with the death.
Earlier on Wednesday, Additional Commissioner (Detective Branch) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Mohammad Harunur Rashid at a press conference at the DB office in the capital said the Buet student died by suicide.
The DB chief said they scrutinized the footage of Fardin’s movement before his death.
Sheikh Farhad, a physician at Narayanganj General Hospital where the autopsy was done, said there were several injury marks on Fardin’s head and body.