Dhaka, May 18 (V7N) — Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said that the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has been “damaged due to the actions of a few officers,” stressing that the entire force should not be held responsible for individual misconduct.
He made the remarks at a discussion meeting marking the 22nd founding anniversary of Rapid Action Battalion held at its headquarters on Monday (May 18) afternoon.
The Home Minister said that during what he described as a “previous authoritarian period,” many state institutions—including the police, army, RAB, and BGB—suffered institutional damage. However, he emphasized that accountability should be individual, not collective.
He added that instructions have already been issued to ensure that officers involved in wrongdoing are brought to justice under relevant laws. “The institution itself cannot be blamed for the actions of a few,” he said.
Referring to international concerns, he noted that U.S. sanctions imposed on RAB in the past were linked to allegations of misuse of the force for political purposes. He said the government is now considering reforms to restore public and international confidence.
The minister also hinted at the possibility of renaming or restructuring the elite force, although he clarified that no final decision has yet been taken. “The matter is under review,” he said, adding that any future elite force arrangement would come with stronger accountability mechanisms.
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