Rab-2 commanding officer withdrawn
The Rapid Action Battalion yesterday withdrew Lt Col SM Masud Rana as the Rab-2 commanding officer and attached him to its headquarters.
The decision was made a day after filing of a murder case over the killing of Hazaribagh Chhatra League president Arzu Miah in a “gunfight”.
Commander Mufti Mahmud Khan, Rab's legal and media wing director, said the move was meant to ensure a fair probe into the allegation raised against the Rab-2 CO and two of his subordinates at the battalion's Shia Masjid camp.
“The CO has been withdrawn to ensure proper investigation,” he told The Daily Star over the phone yesterday.
Arzu was the prime accused in a case filed with Hazaribagh Police Station for the killing of 16-year-old Raja.
The teenager was beaten to death by the Chhatra League leader and his associates on August 17 over claims that he had stolen a laptop and mobile phones, according to locals.
The same day, hours after Raja's death, Arzu was picked up by Rab-2 personnel from Hazaribagh Park area, his brother Masud told journalists. The next day, he was killed in what the elite force said was a “gunfight”.
The family of Arzu filed a murder case with the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court on Sunday, accusing Masud Rana and Rab-2 Shia Masjid camp's Deputy Assistant Director Shahidur Rahman and Inspector Wahid.
A Rab source named Ratan and three to four unnamed people were also mentioned as the accused in the case statement. A hearing on whether the charges would be taken into cognisance will be held today, according to court sources.
Rab officials said after every “encounter”, an executive enquiry is conducted by the deputy commissioner's office. The Rab also holds internal probe into allegations raised against its personnel.
But bringing allegations against a commanding officer after a “shootout” is not usual, said one of the officials, wishing not to be named.
Arzu's brother alleged that they on their own looked into the incident and found that the “shootout”, as claimed by the Rab, didn't take place. Arzu was abducted and murdered, he alleged.
Between August 18 and August 21, four leaders and activists of the ruling Awami League and its associated bodies were killed in “shootouts” involving police and Rab.
Rights body Ain o Salish Kendra says 72 people have died at the hands of law enforcers in the name of “shootouts” in the first six months of this year.
At least 25 people were killed in such “gunfights” or “shootouts” between July 1 and August 23, according to reports published in this newspaper.
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