The state minister for home has said the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) officers accused of being involved in the murder of seven people in Narayanganj will be arrested if there is enough evidence.
The army on Wednesday forced three officers, accused of taking money to kill Nazrul Islam and six others, to retire. They were on deputation to RAB-11 in Narayanganj.
The officers are Lt Col Tarek Sayeed Mahmud, Major Arif Hossain and naval officer Lt Commander MM Rana.
State Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal told reporters on Thursday an investigation was on and the three men would be arrested if there was enough indication of their involvement.
“Warrants for their (RAB members) arrest will be issued if their involvement is clearly proven in the report,” he said.
Seven persons, including city councillor Nazrul, were abducted on Apr 27. Their bodies were recovered from the Shitalakhya River several days later.
Nazrul’s father-in-law has alleged RAB officers had taken Tk 60 million from the prime suspect Nur Hossain for the killings.
State minister Kamal said the RAB members had been withdrawn for their negligence of duty.
One of them, Lt Col Tarek is son-in-law to Disaster Management and Relief Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya.
Kamal made it clear that the government was dealing with the matter with all seriousness.
“The prime minister has directed us not to spare anyone,” he said.
Meanwhile, victim Nazrul’s wife has demanded the arrest of the RAB members.
RAB has formed a body to look into the allegation.
In the face of allegations, RAB promised not to make any effort to protect any of its officials if they are found to be involved.
On Wednesday, the investigation officer of the case was changed to ensure fair probe, police said.
When asked about the process of the RAB men’s trial if they are found guilty, Kamal said, “It will be possible to say only after we get the probe report.
“Let the investigation end… everything’s being done on the prime minister’s order.”
‘Not sure about Nur Hossain’
The state minister has retracted from his previous statement that local Awami League leader Nur Hossain was in Bangladesh.
“I’m not sure if he’s in the country,” he said.
The government has put the border on high alert to prevent the prime accused in the case from slipping into the neighbouring countries.
Hossain is also a ward councillor and the chief of inter-district truck drivers’ union’s Siddhirganj unit.
He has not made public appearance since the abductions but denied his involvement with the incident.
Police on May 3 raided Hossain’s house and detained 12 men.
“Soon, we’ll find out who were involved with the killings,” the state minister said.
Source: Bd news24