“Former Police Chief’s Explosive Testimony: Prime Minister’s Office Directed RAB’s Secret Operations”

During his testimony at the International Crimes Tribunal, former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun revealed information that sheds new light on how sensitive state operations were conducted behind closed doors.

According to him, many of RAB’s key operations—including abductions, detentions, and even killings—were carried out under direct instructions from the Prime Minister’s Office. These orders were relayed to RAB officers through Security Adviser Tarique Siddique.

He further claimed that ahead of the 2018 general election, plans were made to pre-fill up to 50% of ballot boxes with votes. Select police and administrative officers were tasked with this operation, and later rewarded with state honors for their role.

Mamun also admitted that after 2014, political divisions within the police force became visible. Certain groups, particularly tied to specific districts, started forming within the force, eroding its unity. He stated that his service tenure was extended beyond retirement partly to prevent further escalation of these divisions.

Highlighting the events of July–August protests, Mamun described nightly meetings at the Home Minister’s residence. Senior officials from RAB, Police, BGB, and intelligence agencies would gather to strategize how to suppress demonstrations. At one such meeting, the decision was made to detain protest coordinators—who were later subjected to psychological pressure, intimidation of their families, and forced TV confessions.

Mamun acknowledged that these actions were part of direct political instructions, even though he personally opposed such methods. However, as per chain of command, the directives were executed.

The former IGP’s testimony indicates that Bangladesh’s law enforcement agencies often acted under political command rather than independent authority. His revelations raise profound questions: How impartial are the country’s security forces? And how safe is democracy when state agencies are used as tools of political control?