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Armoured cars lie idle on glitches

SHARIFUL ISLAM
Most of the 12 armoured cars purchased for use by the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and police are lying abandoned due to recurring mechanical problems, sources in the Police Headquarters said.
The government bought the China-made armoured cars in 2004. Of the 12, 10 were purchased for police use and two for Rab.
Rab first introduced the armoured cars, generally used by defence forces as war vehicles, at the Independence Day parade at the National Parade Square. But troubles began even before they made their debut.
"Well ahead of the rehearsal, mechanical faults were detected in some of the armoured cars," said a Rab source, asking not to be named. He added that the cars could only take part in the Independence Day parade after a Chinese engineer repaired them in line with the agreement with the supplier.
Another Rab official, expressing anguish over the mechanical problems, said the two armoured cars given to Rab broke down while on the way to Rajendrapur for training. "Later, Rab sent them back to the supplier," he said, but refused to name the supplier.
The armoured cars used by the police are in no better condition either, with six of the 10 lying abandoned at Rajarbagh Police Lines.
In response, the home ministry formed an acceptance committee headed by the additional inspector general of police (Finance) to ascertain the trouble with the armoured cars and to recommend a future course of action.
Sources said the committee, which includes a member of Rab, has already submitted its report to the inspector general of police (IGP). However, the contents of the report could not be known.
"The committee has found some faults. I do not know whether the vehicles will be sent to China or if experts will be brought from China to fix them," said a Rab official, seeking anonymity.
The armoured cars are part of a larger effort to beef up Rab and police forces. The government also plans to purchase two helicopters, one for the police and the other for Rab.
Since Rab began formal operations on March 26, 2004, the government has purchased 1,597 vehicles for the police and 574 for Rab, sources said.
Security experts have repeatedly expressed concerns since the purchase of the armoured cars,
saying that they are not needed for a police crackdown on social criminals and that their use will create panic among the public.
The armoured cars, which are bullet proof and able to run in muddy and hillock areas, were purchased to launch a quick and safe crackdown on criminals anywhere, said a police official.