Sylhet: Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Director General (DG) and Additional IGP AKM Shahidur Rahman today stated that the force is diligently working to ensure that the upcoming national elections are conducted in a free, fair, impartial, and festive manner. The DG expressed confidence that the nation would experience a peaceful and orderly election process.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the RAB chief made these remarks during a press conference at the RAB Media Center in Karwan Bazar. He highlighted the ongoing efforts to maintain law and order across the country and mentioned the intensive operations being conducted to arrest Faisal Karim Masud, the main suspect in the murder of Sharif Osman Hadi, who was the spokesperson of Inqilab Mancha. Hadi was shot dead on December 12, and since then, RAB has arrested eight individuals connected to the crime and recovered two pistols used in the incident.
The DG noted that Faisal and his associate, Alamgir Sheikh, remain at large. However, RAB is actively pursuing their capture and is employing both technological and manual methods to trace their whereabouts. There have been reports of their possible escape to India, but legal steps will be taken to bring them back once their locations are confirmed.
Furthermore, the DG reported that seven individuals have been arrested and handed over to the police in connection with the killing of Dipu Chandra Das by a mob on December 18, following allegations of religious insult. In other developments, one person was arrested through a shadow investigation related to the double murder case at the Khulna court premises on December 17, with efforts ongoing to identify and apprehend others involved.
In Jessore, a saboteur was arrested with 14 crude bombs in Bagharpara, and in a separate incident involving an explosion at a madrasa in Keraniganj, five cocktails and various chemicals were recovered. Two individuals, including the primary suspect Al-Amin, were arrested in connection with this case. Additionally, operations are underway to arrest those responsible for attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star.