Officials said that the Rab will bring its headquarters and all of its seven battalions under microwave link by this month and wide area network (WAN) connectivity through digital communication by June.

As the first government organisation having full e-governing mechanism, the Rab has also launched a special training programme to detect crimes and criminals through information technology (IT).

By June 2006, the elite force is expected to develop customised software, have inter-operability with other law enforcement agencies, establish administrative and maintenance backbone, and build-up a forensic lab.

The customised software would help maintain a database of criminals, administration and security codes, a website and motor transport management while the forensic lab will keep biometrics data including fingerprints and photographs.

Saber Sharif, commanding officer of the Rab-4, yesterday said the microwave link has already connected Dhaka with Chittagong and Rajshahi. The Dhaka-Khulna link will be set up by this month. "It will ensure a communication backbone for the Rab, reducing dependence on the T&T," he added.

Saber, who is taking care of the IT programmes, informed that 30 cars have been equipped with auto vehicle location (AVL) and some 20 more would be equipped with the devices to trace the location of the patrol vehicles.

Mobile data terminals (MDTs) will also be set up in 50 vehicles to transfer wireless data and messages, Saber said adding that six MDTs have been installed.

According to the Tk 145-million master plan for digitalisation of the Rab, video conferencing has already been introduced and around 300 officials have been provided training on digital communication system and network management.

Ten Rab personnel recently went to Malaysia to have a three-week training on cyber crimes, the Rab official added. Besides training abroad, 3-6 months' extensive training on networking would be provided to select personnel at country's leading universities.

"We have also plans to develop information network with other related organisations like BRTA, passport and immigration department, the SB and the ministries," Saber Sharif said.

Under the IT communication development project of the Rab, a 195-member "communication IT directorate" would be formed to make coordination and IT communication work among the countrywide 23 companies of the Rab.