RAB making ‘unbiased’ list of extortionists

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) is preparing an "unbiased" list of alleged extortionists across the country, a spokesperson for the force has announced.

The list will cover all levels of extortion, from grassroots operatives to high-level masterminds.

The move follows a directive from the home minister to identify and arrest those involved in extortion.

"After the list is finalised, legal action will be taken against every criminal. No one will be spared,” Wing Commander MZM Intekhab Chowdhury, director of RAB’s legal and media wing, told a press conference at the RAB Media Centre in Karwan Bazar on Saturday.

“We are ensuring the list is completely unbiased. Once listed, we will bring them under the law as quickly as possible," Intekhab said.

He noted that all 15 battalions of the force have been instructed by the director general to begin this work, adding that the results of these efforts would become visible soon.

Responding to a query about potential political interference, the spokesperson asserted that the RAB has faced no political pressure since the July Uprising.

"RAB has not been involved in any anti-humanitarian activities since then," he added.

Addressing a specific allegation of a Tk 500,000 extortion attempt at the hospital of renowned kidney transplant surgeon Kamrul Islam in Dhaka’s Shyamoli, where the suspect reportedly identified as a Jubo Dal leader, Intekhab said the police are currently verifying the complaint.

"Whenever such an incident happens, RAB's intelligence and operational teams launch a shadow investigation. The perpetrator will be apprehended once confirmed," he said.

During the briefing, the spokesperson highlighted several recent successes.