Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Director General AKM Shahidur Rahman has warned that any attempt to cause public suffering or hold citizens hostage in the name of protests or demands will be strictly prevented. He made the statement on Friday, February 20, during a briefing at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka, ahead of International Mother Language Day and Shaheed Day. The RAB chief emphasized that ensuring citizens’ freedom of movement and normal life remains the top priority of law enforcement agencies.

Rahman noted that law and order had been somewhat fragile in the past year and a half, particularly after July and August, but said the situation was brought under control and a fair election was successfully held. He assured that law and order will continue to improve and that crime control efforts will be strengthened.

Regarding security preparations for February 21, he said intensified patrols, intelligence surveillance, and technology-based monitoring began on the night of February 20 across the country. Multi-layered security perimeters, observation posts, CCTV monitoring, and bomb disposal units have been deployed to ensure safety at Shaheed Minars nationwide.