Khulna: The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has announced the commencement of a nationwide operation aimed at recovering firearms looted from police and other law enforcement agencies during the 2024 mass movement. RAB Director General (DG) Md Ahsan Habib Palash revealed the details at a press briefing held at the RAB-6 headquarters this morning.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the briefing coincided with the surrender of 59 forest robbers in the Sundarbans and the recovery of firearms, highlighting the overall law-and-order situation in Khulna and across the country. DG Palash emphasized that RAB has been given a special mandate to recover the looted firearms and that the operation is already underway. He assured that informants would be rewarded and their identities kept confidential.
Addressing concerns about the potential relapse of surrendered Sundarbans robbers into criminal activities, the RAB DG noted that out of 328 robbers who surrendered between 2016 and 2020, 30 returned to crime, including eight at the recent surrender event. He emphasized that the government is taking more effective measures to rehabilitate those who have surrendered or will surrender in the future, with discussions already held with various ministries and agencies.
Restoring peace in the Sundarbans remains a primary objective for RAB. DG Palash stated that efforts are in place to ensure that no financiers or shelters for criminals are spared. He acknowledged the deteriorating law-and-order situation in Khulna and mentioned that special instructions from the government are being implemented to address the issue.
The RAB DG reported the recovery of 59 firearms, 541 rounds of live ammunition, 14 empty cartridges, and seven walkie-talkies from the surrendered robbers. These robbers belonged to various groups, including Bor Jahangir Bahini, Anrul Bahini, Afzal alias Dulabhai Bahini, Aftar Bahini, and Mizan Bahini. The recovered firearms included shotguns, one-shooter guns, pipe guns, air guns, and a .22-bore rifle.
RAB is conducting a special operation titled 'Operation Restart, Peace in Sundarbans' in collaboration with the Coast Guard, local administration, naval police, and the Forest Department to curb piracy and robbery in the Sundarbans. This operation has been ongoing since March 2 this year.
DG Palash acknowledged the challenges in monitoring all surrendered individuals continuously and expressed the need for establishing a RAB battalion in the Sundarbans to strengthen security in the area. He affirmed that RAB's intelligence surveillance continues to monitor any return to criminal activities among those who have surrendered.