RAB abolished: what will the new SRB look like?
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
To reorganize the country’s internal security system under a new structure, the Home Ministry has proposed abolishing the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and forming a new specialized force under the police. The force will be called the Special Response Battalion, or SRB.
A draft law titled the Special Response Battalion Act, 2026, has already been prepared in the form of a bill.
The bill states that the law has been initiated to abolish RAB, which was formed under the Armed Police Battalions Ordinance, 1979, and establish, control, operate and maintain discipline in the new unit in its place.
What is in the draft
According to the draft law, the new unit will operate directly under the police, with its headquarters in Dhaka. It will also be possible to establish offices anywhere in the country with prior government approval, if necessary.
The unit will be headed by a director general, who will be appointed from among serving police officers holding a rank no lower than additional inspector general of police. The director general will exercise administrative, financial and operational powers. The official will also coordinate with the police and other forces and agencies in maintaining law and order.
In terms of manpower, the government will form the unit by posting or deputing a specified number of officers and employees from the police and other law enforcement agencies as needed. The draft also includes provisions for attaching members covered by laws relating to the Defense Services, subject to specified conditions. The law also provides for a separate emblem, flag and designated uniform for the unit.
The list of duties and functions includes maintaining internal security, gathering intelligence, recovering illegal arms, ammunition and explosives, recovering narcotics, combating cybercrime, and preventing human trafficking and organized crime. The draft also states that the force will be responsible for taking action against those involved in crimes against humanity, including violence against women and children, rape and human trafficking, as well as suppressing terrorist activities, preventing abduction, murder and land grabbing, and filing and investigating cases as directed by courts, the government and the inspector general of police.
When necessary and under specific conditions, the unit will also have the authority to carry weapons and ammunition and conduct searches, seizures and arrests under the Code of Criminal Procedure.
‘The nature of its activities will be understood once operations begin’
Home Ministry Additional Secretary Mohammad Abu Naim was asked about the government’s level of preparation for forming the SRB and conducting its operations.
He said, “The government is definitely ready. Otherwise, it would not have drafted the law. Once operations begin, it will be understood what their (SRB’s) activities will be like. Hopefully, they will be good.”
The bill also contains detailed provisions on discipline and accountability. The law allows disciplinary action against any unit member found negligent in performing duties or involved in abuse of power, torture or extortion.
It also proposes forming a “complaint redress committee” to resolve citizens’ complaints and internal disputes among members. The committee will include an additional director general of the unit, representatives from the Home Ministry and police headquarters, and a human rights or legal expert nominated by the government.
Regarding the transition process, the bill states that once the new law comes into effect, the previous provisions concerning the formation of RAB will be repealed. All assets, funds, liabilities, responsibilities, contracts and officers and employees of RAB will automatically be transferred to and incorporated into the new SRB.
In other words, RAB’s existing personnel will continue to serve in the new force under the same conditions. Only the name of the organization and its structural subordination will change.
How people friendly will it be?
Asked how people friendly the SRB’s activities will be, Dr. Touhidul Haque, associate professor at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research at the University of Dhaka, said, “Changing the symptoms does not cure the disease.”
The crime expert said, “One section wants RAB to be abolished, while another wants reform. They could also have been utilized through reforms. Various political parties have used RAB for their own purposes, making the force controversial. Many people have engaged in controversial activities for their own interests, while the entire force has received a bad name.”
According to him, if the government wants to establish the SRB, the key task will be to ensure accountability. Investigations into the force’s own controversial activities cannot be kept in its own hands. If they investigate themselves, the first question will be about the objectivity of the investigation. And such changes can be made through legislation.
Dr. Touhidul Haque also stressed that there must be clear provisions on what punishment will be imposed if allegations against someone are proven. “Otherwise, only the name of RAB will change, while everything else will remain the same,” the crime expert said.
Before the end
Nearly two decades ago, in March 2004, the then BNP government formed RAB with members of the police, Army, Navy, Air Force, Border Guard Bangladesh, Coast Guard and Ansar. After that, several top criminals, including Pichchi Hannan in Dhaka, and “militant terrorists” in the southwestern region were killed one after another in RAB “crossfires.” The incident of seven murders in Narayanganj on April 27, 2014, caused widespread uproar at home and abroad.
After Sheikh Hasina’s government was ousted, RAB formally apologized for these incidents on December 12, 2024. It also admitted the existence of secret detention facilities, or “Aynaghar.”
Against this backdrop, the BNP demanded the abolition of RAB at a news conference on December 10, 2024, during the interim government.
