Rab announces new battalion in Cox's Bazar

Rab Director General Benazir Ahmed said that a new battalion of the force has been set up in Cox's Bazar that will prioritise the prevention of drug smuggling from Myanmar into the country.

The battalion, Rab-15 is expected to begin its operations in February, upon the Prime Minister's consent, he said while speaking at a cultural function of Rab-11 in Narayanganj on Tuesday night.

Alongside the regular work, the battalion members would provide adequate security for the Rohingyas and tourists as well as ensure the protection of under-construction mega projects, said Rab officials.

Mufti Mahmud Khan, Rab's Legal and Media wing director, told The Daily Star that a battalion office has already been set up in Cox's Bazar. Fifteen police station areas in Cox's Bazar and Bandarban districts will be under its jurisdiction, he said.

Initially, around 250 force members are to be posted in the battalion. This number will increase gradually, he said. He added that the force members and their vehicles will reach Cox's Bazar soon. 

Earlier, the area was under the jurisdiction of Rab-7, headquartered in Chattogram.

Rab was formed on March 26, 2004 constituting of public administration officials, and officers from police, army, navy, air force, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and Ansar and VDP.