Over 400 officers and staff of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-15 in Cox’s Bazar have been transferred to various units under RAB headquarters in Dhaka. The process, carried out from 19 to 27 November, included the relocation of Lieutenant Colonel Kamrul Islam, the commanding officer of the battalion, three days ago.
Sources within RAB confirmed that the transfers are linked to allegations of involvement in criminal activities by certain personnel. Cox’s Bazar, a coastal district adjacent to the Myanmar border, is of strategic significance, and RAB-15 is exclusively assigned to oversee its security, unlike other battalions responsible for multiple districts.
Director General A K M Shahidur Rahman stated that the reshuffle is part of regular personnel rotations. He emphasised that if investigations uncover officers’ involvement in criminal acts, strict disciplinary action will be taken.
RAB sources revealed that some members of the Cox’s Bazar battalion have been under scrutiny for suspected involvement in yaba trafficking and other illicit operations. An internal inquiry has been ongoing for the past month, and in light of these serious allegations, both Lieutenant Colonel Kamrul Islam and the battalion’s deputy commander were transferred. Other officers from different units were also reassigned, while a similar number of personnel were transferred into RAB-15 to ensure continuity and operational stability.
The large-scale transfer reflects RAB’s commitment to accountability and internal oversight while maintaining security in one of the country’s most sensitive border districts. By rotating personnel and addressing misconduct allegations, RAB aims to preserve its operational efficiency and uphold public confidence in law enforcement in Cox’s Bazar.