Director General of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) AKM Shahidur Rahman today apologised to those who have filed criminal cases against Rab personnel over various offences committed during the July-August mass uprising.

During a view-exchange meeting with journalists at Rab's media center today, Shahidur assured that Rab is committed to exonerating any wrongdoings only through a fair and transparent investigation and proper trial process.

He said, "The issue of Aynaghar (a secret detention centre) in Rab was there and it still remains. The commission [inquiry commission on enforced disappearances] instructed us to keep it as it is and not to make any changes in it. we keep it accordingly,"

"The commission is investigating the allegations of the enforced disappearance, killings and Aynaghar. We are cooperating them. We hope that legal steps will be taken after the investigation," the Rab DG said. 

Earlier on October 7, at a meeting with leaders of the Bangladesh Crime Reporters' Association at his office, the DG said he does not know of any secret detention centres called Aynaghar in Rab, adding that the force will extend full support to the newly formed commission of inquiry on enforced disappearances.

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Aynaghar should be a site of remembrance

Today, the DG acknowledged the gravity of the issues over misconduct by Rab members, emphasising on the organisation's firm stance on internal discipline.

He revealed that a significant number of officers and personnel have faced disciplinary actions for breaches of conduct. Till date, 58 officers and 4,235 members have been charged with disciplinary violations in accordance with Rab's regulations.

The chief further addressed recent high-profile arrests of Rab members, including 16 officers from various battalions, who are currently facing charges related to extortion, kidnapping, and robbery.

He assured all that investigations into these cases, particularly the ongoing probe into allegations over missing persons and Aynaghor, are actively progressing. "We are working tirelessly to uncover the truth of the allegations," he added.

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Rab must be rebuilt from the ground up

As part of efforts to reform and modernise Rab, he also announced forthcoming changes to the force's uniform, aimed at improving its public image and operational efficiency.

Additionally, he revealed that Rab is preparing to implement new ordinances designed to enhance the effectiveness of operations, improve administrative processes, and ensure faster service delivery to the people.