Former army chief demands disbandment of Rab and DGFI

Retired General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan, former chief of army staff, has demanded the disbandment of the Rapid Action Battalion, Rab, and the military intelligence agency Directorate General of Forces Intelligence, DGFI, citing allegations of serious crimes such as enforced disappearances and killings against the two organisations.

He made these statements while giving testimony on Monday at the International Crimes Tribunal-1 in a case concerning crimes against humanity related to disappearances and murders allegedly committed by the DGFI. The two-member tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumdar, recorded his deposition.

In his testimony, the former army chief said, “I believe Rab must be disbanded immediately. If that is not possible, army personnel serving in Rab should be recalled to the military.”

He further said, “DGFI also needs to be disbanded, because after giving birth to a culture of murder, this organisation has lost its legitimacy to exist.”

It is noted that Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan served as the chief of the Bangladesh Army from June 25, 2012 to June 25, 2015 during the Awami League government’s term.

The recording of witness statements in the case began with his deposition on Sunday. Following the completion of his testimony on Monday, a partial cross-examination was conducted. The tribunal has set February 18 for the next cross-examination.

Referring to those killed during the Hefazat-e-Islam rally at Shapla Chattar in 2013, the former army chief said, “I heard from various sources that at the time, when Rab killed someone, they would slit their stomachs, remove the entrails, tie bricks or stones to the bodies, and dump them in rivers.”

He said, “Seeing such activities, I started visiting various army divisions and training institutions. I motivated officers to refrain from such misconduct. At one point, I brought all army officers to Dhaka to make them aware of the duties of junior officers.”

Iqbal Karim Bhuiya said, “I reminded them that many military officers involved in the killings of Sheikh Mujib and Zia have been hanged. In the 10-truck arms case, some more officers are in jail with death sentences.”

He said, “Even after all this, when I saw that crossfire killings were not stopping, I stopped posting army officers to the DGFI, BGB and Rab. At the time, many told me I was heading towards rebellion. But I believed I would have to answer to Allah on the Day of Judgement.”

Noting that the reaction to stopping the postings was severe, he said, “I would receive calls daily to assign the postings. During the inauguration of the Radisson Hotel in Chattogram, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called me aside and asked me to provide officers to Rab. I informed her that it was not possible due to a shortage of officers. This pressure continued until my retirement, but I remained firm in my decision.”

The former army chief further said, “My tenure was extremely painful because of Rab’s activities. The sorrow of being unable to do anything has haunted me. Today, the opportunity has come to speak about those things I could not do.”

Explaining his position, he said, “Many think I am speaking against the army. Actually, the opposite is true. The opportunity for self-purification that has come should not be lost. This will not tarnish the glory of the army; rather, it will make it brighter.”

He said, “The entire nation will know—the Bangladesh Army never lets criminals go free. The culture of a few officers committing crimes from behind the facade and getting away with it must stop.”

Concluding, Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan said, “I want Rab to be disbanded immediately. If that is not possible, at least the army personnel should be recalled. Similarly, DGFI should also be disbanded. After giving birth to a culture like the ‘Mirror Room’, this organisation has no moral ground to exist.”