Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) has detained five men from the city's Kamalapur Railway Station for alleged black marketing of train tickets ahead of Eid. Acting on a tip-off that a group was selling tickets of different trains at inflated prices taking advantage of the Eid rush, a Rab-3 team conducted a drive at the railway station at 8.45 pm Monday and detained the men. The detainees were identified as Md Liton Mia, 37, Md Shah Lam, 34, Md Imran, 20, Md Abu Taher, 26, and Md Zahidur Rahman Shakib, 40, Rab-3 said in a release Tuesday. Also read: Two RNB members held for selling tickets in black market Four train tickets and Tk 6,927 in cash were seized from the detainees, said Rab-3. During questioning, the accused admitted to the crime. Legal action will be taken against the detainees, said the release. Also read: Measures to be taken if complaints found over Eid online ticketing: Minister

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas thinks that many people are “over-exaggerating” the impact of the sanctions imposed on the elite force Rab and some officials but acknowledges that it did have an impact on the overall relations.  “Yes, the sanctions did have an impact. I think many people are over-exaggerating the impact because the relationship we have is so broad and we deal with so many issues,” he told Voice of America Bangla Service in an interview at the US Department of State. He said the sanctions is one issue but they continue to work very closely under the security front. Ambassador Haas said the US stopped providing training to the Rab in 2018 because of concerns as they want to see accountability for the past human rights violations and to reform the Rab so that it does not repeat the same. On December 10, 2021, Human Rights Day, the United States imposed sanctions on the Rapid Action Battalion and some of its serving as well as former officials, based on what the US said was "credible evidence" of serious human rights abuses. The US envoy said over the past few months the two countries had partnership dialogue, security dialogue, military partnership and high level economic dialogue. “We are cooperating deeply and aggressively on those fronts.”  The US ambassador reiterated the importance of free media and the challenges in Bangladesh. He said the government-to-government relationship is important but businesses, education and family ties are far more important. This year, 2022, Bangladesh and the United States are celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties. Foreign Minister A.K. Abdul Momen and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken kicked off a busy program of engagements for the year ahead by marking the milestone during their meeting on April 4 in Washington, DC. Also read: Will be happy if sanctions on Rab withdrawn: FM

Rab on Friday arrested two men in connection with a case over an attempted rape of a Rohingya girl from Dulahazara area under Chakaria upazila of Cox’s Bazar. The arrestees have been identified as Md Mahbub, 32, of Chakaria’s Ringvong area and Shah Emran, 35,of Rajghat area under Chattogram’s Lohagara upazila. According to Rab, the girl is a Rohingya refugee from Kutupalong Camp No 1 in Ukhia upazila of Cox’s Bazar. She fled from the camp and arrived in Chattogram city in search of work on February 5, 2022. Also read: Man wanted for triple murder held in Sherpur Failing to find work, she was returning to the camp by a bus on February 11, 2022. The supervisor of the bus ditched her at the Chakaria Bus Terminal as she couldn’t pay the fare. There, staff from another bus agreed to take her to the camp. She was taken to Batakhali Bridge area under Chakaria municipality in an empty bus and an attempt was made to rape her by the driver, the supervisor and the helper of the bus. Also read: Driver among 4 held for raping a girl in Chattogram Locals rescued the girl after hearing her scream and apprehended the helper of the bus while the driver and the supervisor managed to flee. Later, the girl lodged a case with Chakaria police station under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, based on which today’s arrests were made. The arrestees have confessed their crimes and they’ve been handed over to the local police for further legal procedures.

Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) members detained 53 suspected gamblers from Halishahar in Chattogram port city on Saturday, Rab said on Sunday. Tipped off, a team of Rab-7 conducted a drive at a recreation centre and co-operative cociety at Nawab Tower inside Halishohor Mart and detained them, said Nurul Absar, assistant director of Rab-7. READ: 26 gamblers held in Sylhet The elite force also seized some materials used for gambling and Tk 3.69 lakh from their possession. During the drive, Rab came to know that a group of people in the name of recreation centre and co-operatives society, have long been involved in Casino business and gambling. The detainees were handed over to police.

Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) on Saturday arrested 11 robbers from Boliyarpur area of Dhaka’s Savar, while they were preparing to stage a robbery. The arrestees are Md. Shamim aka Sabdul, Md. Anisur Rahman aka Thanda, Md. Salauddin, Md. Ikhtiyar Uddin, Md. Saiful Islam, Md. Jahangir Sarkar, Md. Sajib Islam, Md. Jiban Sarkar, Shri Swapan Chandra Roy, Md. Minhazur Islam, and Shri Madhav Chandra Sarkar. On the basis of a tip-off, Rab members conducted an operation in Boliyarpur area around 1 am and arrested the robbers while they were preparing for a robbery, said ASP Imran Khan, Assistant director, legal and media wing of the Rab headquarters. Also read: Six robbers held in city Rab members seized different tools used in robbery from the arrestees which include a foreign made gun, a pipe gun, two one-shooter gun, six rounds of ammunition, a magazine, two machetes, three iron rods, three axes, two knives, house cutter, 11 hacksaw blades, two laser lights and a hammer. During the interrogation, the arrestees said that they have been planning to rob a battery factory in Savar. They also said that they have long been involved in robbery of houses, shops, warehouses, even from passenger buses and freight trucks. Also read: Gang leader killed as two robber gangs clash in Cox’s bazar

Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) members have arrested seven people over attempting to kill a college teacher by severing his right wrist at Shalghar Modhua village in Kumarkhali upazila of Kushtia on Friday. The arrestees were Mosharof Hossain Mosha, 26, son of Md Soleman, Nazim Uddin, 27, son of Mokaddes Hossain, Md Samad, 27, son of Abdul Khaleque, Muhaimen  Hossain, 27, son of Aiyub Ali, Halim, 40, son of Samed Ali, Md Palash, 23, son of Abdul Khaleque and Md Mukul, 42, son of Gopal Sheikh. All the arrestees are residents of the same village. Also read: Man dies at lover's home; one held RAB members have seized three rounds of bullet, magazines and a foreign pistol from their possessions. The arrestees have confessed to their involvement in the crime during primary interrogation. In a press briefing on Saturday, Squadron Leader Mohammad Ilias Khan, company commander of Kushtia Camp of RAB-12, said Tofazzel Hossain is an assistant professor of Economics Department at Bashgram College of the upazila. He came under attack as a sequel to previous enmity between two groups over establishing supremacy at Kushtia Sadar upazila’s Bongshitola area on May 31. Also read: Rape attempt on woman on moving bus: Driver, helper held Victim’s son Nazmus Sakib filed a case with Kushtia Model Police Station accusing 26 people, including 5/6 unnamed onews, for the attack the next day. Critically injured Mofazzel is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Dhaka

Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) said on Friday they arrested 26 people from different areas of the capital in connection with extortion and snatching. During the first raid Rab arrested 14 people including  Md. Mosharraf Hossain, Md. Masud Raihan, Md. Rokon, Md. Billal Hossain, Md. Akhtar Hossain, Md. Harun, Md. Saheb Ali, Md. Jewel, Md. Arif Chowdhury, Md. Al Amin, Md. Sumon, Md. Rana, Md. Iman Ali and Md. Iqbal. Rab members recovered Tk 44,990 in cash and 15 mobile phones from the arrestees, said a Rab media release. READ: Those selling stolen mobile phone sets to be arrested: DMP During the second raid 12 people were arrested including Md. Sumon, Md. Abdur Rahman, Md. Saiful Mia, Md. Ripon Mia, Md. Amirul Islam, Nityananda Adhikari, Md. Anwar Hossain, Md. Sohail, Sharif, Mubarak, Md. Al Amin and Suruj Mia. Four razors and seven switch-geared knives were recovered from them During  interrogation, the arrestees admitted that they have been illegally  extortioning money  at rate of Tk 100 to Tk 500 from shops, hawkers, three-wheelers and trucks in their respective areas. They are also involved in snatching valuables from pedestrians, rickshaw and auto-rickshaw passengers showing arms and weapons in the city. Legal action has been taken against the arrestees, said additional police super (ops officer) Beena Rani Das.

Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) arrested two leaders of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) from Sabujbagh area in the city on Thursday. The arrestees were identified as Dhaka South City BCL vice president Delwar Hossain Sayedee, 24, and BCL Dhaka South city unit general Secretary Jubayer Ahmed, 29. Based on secret information, a team of Rab-3 battalion arrested Delwar from Madartek area under Sabujbagh police station at around 3:00 am on early Thursday. Read: Cumilla city mayor Sakku expelled for life from BNP  The elite force also recovered one foreign made pistol, one magazine, two round bullets and 578 pieces Yaba tablets from his possessions, said Additional SP Bina Rani Das of the Rab-3 battalion headquarters. Delwar was arrested on charge of his involvedment in collecting extortion in the name of Home Minister, she said at a media release issued on Thursday evening. Later, in an attempt to snatch BCL leader Delwar from the Rab, Dhaka South City BCL leader Jubayer was also arrested. The Rab filed a case with Sabujbagh police station in connection with the incident. Jubayer and Delwar are in police custody at Sabujbagh police station. They will be produced in court on Friday. During primary interrogation, Delwar admitted that he used to extort money using the name of the home minister. He also used to use his associates to spread terrorism to dominate the area showing firearms. Read: Some Dhaka areas to see disruption in gas supplies Saturday When the Rab's operational team took to the streets with the arrested Delwar at the end of the operation, about 200 people led by BCL leader Jobayer tried to snatch the arrested Delwar. They carried out an armed attack on the Rab. The Rab members then arrested Md. Jobayer Ahmed from North Mothertech area of Sabujbagh and dispersed the illegal mob in self-defense and for carrying out government duties. Two Rab members were injured in the attack. The injured Rab members were given first aid at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

A Rapid Action Battalion mobile court fined three grocery shops Tk150,000 for illegal stockpiling of soybean oil and sale of soybean oil at exorbitant prices in the Jatrabari area of the capital on Monday. An operational team of RAB-3 got secret information through intelligence sources that some grocery traders in the North Jatrabari area of the capital have been stockpiling huge quantities of soybean oil and selling the essential edible oil to the general public at Tk 34 per liter more than the price fixed by the government. On the basis of the secret information, the operational team conducted a mobile court at North Jatrabari from 11:50 am to 1:50 pm in the presence of Abdul Jabbar Mandal, Assistant Director, Department of Consumer Rights Protection. Also read: Dealers, retailers betrayed me on edible oil price: Commerce Minister During the drive, executive magistrate Md Mazaharul Islam, fined the owners of Aditi Traders, M/S Sifat Trading and M/S Mintu Store Tk 50,000 each. The mobile court found stocks of 15,000 liters of soybean oil in those shops, said Bina Rani Das, Additional SP (Ops and Intelligence wing) of the Rab-3 battalion headquarter. During the preliminary interrogation, the owners of those grocery shops admitted their wrongdoing. They said they were stockpiling huge quantities of soybean oil and selling it at a higher price than the government had set. The RAB's campaign against these gangs will continue in the future as well, Additional SP Bina Rani added. Also read: Crackdown on hoarding: 15,000 liters of Soybean oil seized in Chattogram

Three people have been arrested in connection with the recent clashes in New Market that claimed two lives, Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) said on Thursday. The arrestees have been identified as Moazzem Hossain Sajeeb, 23, son of Abdul Mannan of Keraniganj, Mehedi Hassan Bappi, 21, son of Hawladar of Barishal district, and Mahmudul Hasan Siam, 21, son of Hasan Ali of Shariatpur district. The three were arrested from Shariatpur and Cox’s Bazar districts on Wednesday night, Rab officials said. Also read: New Market clashes: 5 Dhaka College students arrested Commander Al Moin, director of Rab's legal and media wing, said Bappi was directly involved in delivery man Nahid's killing. “Bappi and Sajeeb were employees of Welcome Fast Food. The initial clash erupted when staffers of Capital Fast Food and Welcome Fast Food got engaged in heated arguments over placing tables for selling good before Iftar on April 18." Later, 10-15 miscreants, known to the staffers of Welcome Fast Food, appeared there around 11.30pm and started beating up the staff of Capital Fast Food. At one stage, both groups attacked each other, triggering the clash that spread to the Dhaka College area the following day, said Moin. Bappi and Sajeeb went into hiding after the clashes and to conceal their identities, they had a haircut and had been trying to grab jobs at hotels in Cox’s Bazar. Besides, in the CCTV footage of the area, Siam was found stabbing delivery man Nahid during the clashes. He also went into hiding to avoid arrest, Moin said. “Legal steps are being initiated against them." Also read: New Market clashes: 14 BNP leaders, activists granted anticipatory bail Two people were killed and more than 30 others, including journalists and students, were injured as the students of Dhaka College clashed with the traders of New Market at Nilkhet intersection recently. Shopkeepers alleged that the students were beaten up as they had refused to foot the bill at an eatery. Police subsequently registered four cases against 1,400 people in connection with the clashes. Earlier on April 28, police arrested five students of Dhaka College in connection with the clashes at New Market. AKM Hafiz Akter, additional commissioner of the detective branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, had said that the five were directly involved in the clashes between the Dhaka College students and New Market shopkeepers. Later, they were placed on police remand on the same day.