Jatiya Rakkhi Bahini
| National Security Force জাতীয় রক্ষী বাহিনী |
|
|---|---|
| Active | 8 February 1972 to 15 August 1975 |
| Country |
 Bangladesh
|
| Allegiance | Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Awami League |
| Role | Counter-insurgency, Counter-terrorismAnti-Communism |
| Size | 16000 in 1975 |
| Headquarters | Sher-E-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka |
| Nickname(s) | "Rakkhi", "JRB" |
| Patron | Sheikh Mujibur Rahman |
| Mascot(s) | Index Finger of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman |
| Disbanded | August 1975 |
Jatiya Rakkhi Bahini (Bengali: জাতীয় রক্ষী বাহিনী Yātīy.a Rakṣī Bāhinī) (National Security Force) was an elite para-military force formed on 8 February 1972 by the government led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by an order commonly known as 'Jatiyo Rakkhi Bahini Act, 1972" after the liberation war of Bangladesh.
Initially formed to curb the insurgency and maintain law and order the force became involved in numerous charges of human rights abuse including political killings,shooting by death squads,forced disappearances and rape. It was seen as the armed wing of the ruling Awami League and it swore an oath of loyalty to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The Rakkhi Bahini has been condemned by many academics and journalists, including Ghulam Murshid who compared it with the Gestapo, and Anthony Mascarenhas who said that it was a "gang of hoodlums little different from the Nazi Brown shirts."Human Rights Watch states that the institutionalized violence committed by the Jatiya Rakkhi Bahini, established the culture of impunity with which security forces in independent Bangladesh continue to abuse human rights. Pro Awami League commentators dismiss the charges as "myths".
During the Liberation War of Bangladesh numerous civilians joined the war after being trained by the Indian forces Tajuddin Ahmed felt these people should come under national service as they had arms and training. Tajuddin Ahmed asked Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to form a para-military force for them.
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Wikipedia