The BNP has recommended the dissolution of the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), which is currently under US sanctions for serious human rights violations.

The proposal was part of the recommendation the party voluntarily made to the Police Administration Reform Commission on December 5, BNP Standing Committee Member Hafizuddin Ahmed said at a press conference held at the party chairperson's office in Gulshan yesterday.

Established in April 2004 during the tenure of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, Rab has faced intense criticism both at home and abroad for its controversial actions. In 2014, BNP Chairperson Khaleda also called for the force to be disbanded.

"This is stated in medical science as well -- when gangrene sets in completely, there is no alternative but to amputate. Rab has become internationally condemned and has turned into a monstrous force within the country. Most of the killings, disappearances and extrajudicial killings were carried out by Rab. Therefore, we have recommended its dissolution," Hafizuddin said.

If Rab is disbanded, necessary steps must be taken to ensure that its responsibilities are transferred to the Armed Police Battalion and police stations.

"We believe that dissolving Rab at this moment would send a positive signal to the public."

The other recommendations include forming a Police Commission, establishing citizen committees at the upazila level, and introducing a proper documentation process before arrests to prevent abuse of power.

"Rab has become internationally condemned and has turned into a monstrous force within the country." Hafizuddin Ahmed

— BNP Standing Committee Member

The police commission would serve as both a watchdog for the police and a body that provides recommendations.

The commission's chairman will be the chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on the home ministry if parliament is in session.

If parliament is not in session, a retired Supreme Court judge will serve as the interim chairman of the commission.

This eight-member commission will include a ruling party lawmaker, an opposition lawmaker, a university professor, a senior lawyer from the High Court, a prominent citizen, an additional secretary nominated by the home secretary and an additional Inspector General of Police (IGP) nominated by the IGP, who will act as the member secretary of the commission.

The government will determine the selection process for the commission's members, framework and tenure through regulations, Hafizuddin said.

The citizen committees at every upazila or thana level would help the police to prevent crime and improve relations between the police and the community.

The chairman will be a local figure, while the officer-in-charge (OC) of the local police station will serve as the member secretary.

The other members will include two Union Parishad members, one teacher, one businessperson, one imam, and local representatives from political parties with seats in parliament.

The party has proposed that the commission require police to create a formal document detailing arrest information before detaining anyone.

To prevent abuse of power, the proposed form should include details of the arrest and be signed by the arresting officer, the officer-in-charge and the unit head.

A copy of the form must also be provided to the arrested individual to ensure transparency and hold officers accountable, Hafizuddin said.

The party has called for better training on human rights and discipline in police training institutions.

Police training institutions are often seen as "dumping grounds" for officers accused of misconduct, which undermines the quality of training, Hafizuddin said.

"To improve this, those working in training institutions should be given extra allowances and benefits."

The party has proposed two-tier recruitment for police.

The police force recruits through four entry points: constable, sergeant, sub-inspector and assistant superintendent of police (ASP).

The party suggested reforming this system by introducing a two-tier recruitment process.

Under the proposed system, the first tier would involve recruitment for the constables, while the second tier would be for ASP and that would be filled through the BCS examination.

To curb corruption within the police force, the BNP has proposed decentralising the powers.

"The procurement authority, currently controlled by the Police Headquarters, should be handed back to field-level officials," said Hafizuddin, adding that ensuring the rule requires police officers to submit an annual declaration of their assets.

The party also proposed strengthening medical facilities at the district level to ensure better treatment for family members of police.

"If the people entrust the BNP with governing the state, we will work to implement the recommendations we have made."

After August 5, at least 488 police officers sought protection from the military authorities in cantonments.

"Every one of these 488 individuals was either a criminal, corrupt or involved in enforced disappearances or killings. That is why they sought shelter. I do not think it was the right decision for the military to shelter them."

After the movement, there were no police for 3-4 days. There was no government either.

"It is difficult to pinpoint who was truly responsible. I believe that since they sought shelter inside the cantonment, military officials or senior officers from the cantonment might have had a role in their escape. But we cannot say this with certainty. Over time, this will surely come to light," Hafizuddin added.

Leaders of the 12-party alliance, who previously organised joint movements with the BNP against the former Awami League government, have expressed support for the BNP's position on holding the next parliamentary elections by 2025.

They argue that failing to conduct the elections within this timeframe could lead to further delays. As a result, they have agreed to exert pressure on the interim government to ensure the elections take place by next year.

This stance was shared during a meeting with the BNP's liaison committee at the party chairperson's Gulshan office last evening.

The alliance leaders also reiterated their commitment to supporting the BNP's decisions regarding the national election and the formation of a new political party by student leaders involved in the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in July and August.

A source from the meeting told The Daily Star that the meeting agreed to demand the election be held by December 2025.

"We heard their [the BNP's] views on the formation of the new political party, which appears to have support from the interim government. While everyone has the right to form a political party, doing so with state backing is unacceptable," the source, speaking anonymously, said.

This dialogue marks the beginning of the BNP's consultations with like-minded parties that stood with them during the anti-Awami League movements. The talks aim to solidify unity among political parties and gather their opinions on the upcoming general election.

After the meeting, BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan told reporters that no final decisions had been made regarding the meeting's agenda.

"We have initiated the dialogue, and the parties have assured us of their continued support, as they did during the anti-Awami League movements."

He added that the meeting focused on the country's current political and economic situation, with further discussions planned with other like-minded parties. "We will make decisions after these talks conclude."

Mostafa Jamal Haidar, chairman of Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar), noted that the meeting also addressed the possibility of organising joint programmes between the BNP and its allied parties.

"The need for unity remains. We must strengthen this unity moving forward. We will announce our joint programmes soon," he said.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Bangladesh LDP Secretary General Shahadat Hossain Salim, Bangladesh Jatiya Dal Chairman Syed Ehsanul Huda, Bikalpadhara Bangladesh Chairman Nurul Amin Bepari, and Jatiya Ganatantrik Party President Rashed Pradhan, among others, were also present at the meeting.

Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, and Chhatra Dal will march towards the Indian High Commission in Dhaka today.

It will begin from the party's Nayapaltan central office at 10:00am, said a joint press release yesterday.

The march, aimed at submitting a memorandum, is being organised in protest the attack on Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh in Agartala, desecration of the national flag in Kolkata, and an alleged conspiracy to incite communal unrest.

In the release, leaders of the three organisations of BNP called on leaders and activists to join the demonstration.

The organisations planned the programme a day ahead of Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri's visit to Dhaka tomorrow. There will be foreign office consultations led by foreign secretaries of the two countries.

It will be the first top diplomatic contact with Bangladesh since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina in August.

The meeting also comes at a time when ties between Dhaka and Delhi are under considerable strain over various issues, including allegations of attacks on minorities in Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, Indian Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Friday announced that activists from over 200 social and cultural organisations will march towards the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Tuesday.

The demonstration, coinciding with International Human Rights Day, will be held to protest against "alleged atrocities" on minority communities, including Hindus, in Bangladesh.

Rajnish Jindal, co-in-charge of the RSS Delhi unit's media and communications department, shared details at a press conference where he said the march will include representatives of various social, cultural, and religious groups under the banner of "Civil Society of Delhi".

He added that a memorandum would be submitted to the Bangladesh High Commission and international organisations such as the UN, UNHRC, WHO, Amnesty International, and ADB, urging immediate intervention to halt the "violence".

Former Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh Veena Sikri and ex-director general of the Intelligence Bureau Rajiv Jain also spoke at the event, expressing grave concern over the situation.

"This is the worst situation for Hindus and other minority communities in Bangladesh since the Liberation War of 1971," Veena claimed.

In another development, hoteliers in Barak valley of the north eastern state of Assam have announced that they would not host any Bangladesh national till alleged attacks on Hindus and other minorities in that country stop, PTI reported from Guwahati.

This was announced by Barak Valley Hotel and Restaurant Association President Babul Rai on Friday.

Barak Valley comprises three districts of Cachar, Sribhumi (formerly Karimganj) and Hailakandi and shares a 129km-long border with Bangladesh's Sylhet region.

A PTI report from Washington said a protest march is being organised by "HinduAction" near the White House tomorrow while another protest would be held by Hindu community leaders in Chicago today.

BNP is considering rallies next month to push for a roadmap to election while keeping a close watch on the issue of the president's probable removal.

The party high-ups have already discussed the programmes, which will be finalised soon, said its leaders.

"Once the decision is finalised, we may hold rallies in every district and divisional city next month," a BNP standing committee member told The Daily Star last night, wishing not to be named.

Insiders said the party believes the issue of President Mohammed Shahabuddin's removal and "intentional" audio leaks of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina are part of a big conspiracy by a vested quarter to create a constitutional vacuum, which would ultimately delay the national election. That is why the party is considering street programmes.

"By holding programmes in November, we want to make our stance clear to the people," said a senior BNP leader who is involved in the process.

BNP has already begun talks with the like-minded political parties about the issue.

At the street programmes, it will press for an election roadmap, measures to check the price hike of essentials, and withdrawal of cases against its Chairperson Khaleda Zia and acting chairman Tarique Rahman.

BNP's allies will also hold programmes to press home the same demands, the sources added.

BNP standing committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury yesterday said reforms should be carried out on the basis of political consensus.

Speaking at a programme, he said 10 commissions have been formed to come up with reform proposals, and they will submit reports within 90 days. "But new demands are being made. I don't know whether the reform commissions and the interim government support those demands. These issues seem contradictory," he said without referring to any issue.

On October 23, three top BNP leaders met Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and warned him of a potential constitutional crisis that may stem from the president's removal.

Syed Emran Saleh Prince, joint secretary general of BNP, said holding rallies and processions will be part of the party's ongoing organisational activities.

"We should step up our political activities as various issues are surfacing."

BNP leaders said the interim government's main mandate is to hold a free and fair general election to fulfil the nation's expectations, as people were deprived of their voting rights in the last three parliamentary polls.

"We can assume how much time the government needs to hold an election. We are ready to give that time. But if that time is over, we will do whatever is necessary," Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, BNP standing committee member, said at a discussion yesterday.

He said his party was ready to wait for the election, but the government has to declare a specific time for the polls.

Determined to foil the Awami League's bid to hold a large rally marking Noor Hossain Day, leaders and activists of the anti-discrimination student movement and BNP have taken position in front of the Awami League's central office on Bangabandhu Avenue and around Zero Point.

Photo: Amran Hossain

BNP leaders and activists were marching along the Bangabandhu Avenue and other streets in the area since morning.

Meanwhile, the students started gathering at Zero Point in Gulistan under the banner of "Fascism Resistance Platform" around 12:00pm, Amran Hossain, a photojournalist of The Daily Star, reports from the spot.

Photo: Amran Hossain

He said BNP processions have been going round Noor Hossain Square since 10:30am.

Amran said BNP activists identified three people as Awami League activists at Noor Hossain Square and handed them over to the police.

Photo: Amran Hossain

Key coordinators of the movement vowed to prevent "fascist Awami League" from holding a public demonstration. The students took control of streets around the Zero Point from early morning where Noor Hossain had been shot dead by the police on November 10, 1987, while protesting against military dictator General Ershad.

Ironically Noor Hossain, hailed as a champion of democracy and an inspiration of many a protester, was a leader of Awami League's youth front, the Jubo League.

The student movement against discrimination announced a mass gathering at Zero Point in the Dhaka's Gulistan today, demanding trial of the Awami League.

The student body came up with the announcement a day after the Awami League urged its leaders and activists to gather at Noor Hossain Chattar (Zero Point) at 3:00pm today to observe the Shaheed Noor Hossain Day.

Meanwhile, several political organisations including the National Democratic Front of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Workers Federation, Left Democratic Alliance, and Socialist Students' Front, have paid tributes to Noor Hossain yesterday, according to UNB report.

Photo: UNB

The leaders and activists of the parties gathered at Noor Hossain Square last evening and placed wreaths there, the report added.