Newly-appointed director general (DG) of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) M Khurshid Hussain ruled out on Saturday the possibility of bringing about reforms in the elite force as proposed by the United States (US).
"I personally don't see reasons for bringing about reforms in RAB. We are not doing any such acts that RAB needs to be reformed," he told the media after placing a wreath at the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Dhanmondi 32 number in the capital after taking the helm of the crime busting force as its chief.
He said RAB has been working as per set rules. "We (RAB) aren't doing anything that goes against the country's law," he asserted. Earlier the US imposed sanctions against seven officials of RAB (former and current) for violation of human rights.
US ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas suggested bringing reforms to RAB for lifting sanctions on the elite force by his country.
The US envoy said the sanctions imposed on the RAB and seven of its current and former top officials can be lifted if specific steps are taken to probe the allegations brought against them.
He added the US wants accountability and reforms in RAB before the sanctions on the elite force are lifted.
"We want the agency play an active role in combating terrorism but it will have to abide by human rights," said the envoy.
Asked whether the US has proposed in black and white for bringing about reforms in RAB, he replied, "No, they (US) did not give us any written proposal for reform".
"We (RAB) would continue our duties. It is true that there may be some errors for those who work. But that must be considered whether it was done for personal reason or in the interests of the country or for the general people. So, we would face this by the government," he said.
He said the government of Bangladesh is working with the US government about lifting sanctions against seven RAB officials by the US.
Regarding security during the ongoing Durga Puja, he said there will be four to seven Ansar personnel on duty at each puja mandap.
He added a vested group always tries to create communal unrest in non-communal Bangladesh.
Responding to a query, he said RAB along with other law enforcing agencies are prepared to avert any untoward incident during Druga puja, the biggest religious festival of the Hindus.
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