Over 300 RAB-15 personnel withdrawn over alleged involvement in yaba-linked irregularities

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has executed a mass administrative transfer, pulling 634 members out of its vital RAB-15 battalion, which covers Cox's Bazar and Bandarban districts.

This sweeping shake-up follows allegations suggesting the involvement of certain personnel in yaba-linked illegal activities. 

However, the RAB Headquarters said the transfers are part of a "regular process." 

The command structure at RAB-15 battalion has also changed, as Battalion Commander Lt Col Kamrul Islam has been attached to RAB headquarters, and Army Lt Col Mohammad Neyamul Halim Khan has been appointed as the new commanding officer. 

The transfers, which affect personnel at all levels, were executed through five separate orders issued by RAB Headquarters between 12 and 27 November. 

More than 300 members were withdrawn from Cox's Bazar, with a comparable number of replacements sent from other units. 

The directives, signed by RAB Deputy Director (administration) Major Faisal Ahmed, detailed the scale of the transfers. On 19 November, two orders transferred 198 and 200 members, respectively, while an order on 17 November reassigned 100 members. Earlier, an order on 12 November transferred 62 personnel, and the latest order on 27 November moved 74 additional members. 

Wing Commander MZM Intekab Chowdhury, director of RAB's media wing, maintained that the transfers were standard procedure, noting that the outgoing commanding officer had completed his tenure in Cox's Bazar and was routinely attached to headquarters. 

He confirmed that over 300 officers and members had recently been transferred out under regular rotation policies. 

When directly questioned about the serious allegations of involvement in drug trafficking, Chowdhury stated, "If anyone is found involved, RAB will take legal and punitive action after investigation." 

He clarified that not all RAB-15 members were withdrawn.

Despite the official claims of routine rotation, reliable internal RAB sources have pointed to specific irregularities, indicating that officers in Cox's Bazar utilise plainclothes "FS (field staff) operatives," or "civil teams," similar to police intelligence branches. 

Allegations suggest that certain civil teams in the region had allegedly established contact with yaba traders, facilitating smugglers, negotiating settlements, and sharing in illicit profits. 

In the wake of these reports, the former commanding officer, Lt Col Kamrul Islam, and several other key officers, were withdrawn and reassigned. 

This massive withdrawal has amplified existing local concerns and follows a recent incident where an officer from the Kutubpalong RAB camp allegedly raided a house, seized Tk60 lakh in cash and four lakh yaba pills, and reportedly shared the seized items among themselves.