The law brings SRB into effect, with RAB’s personnel, powers, assets and liabilities transferred to the new force.
Members of the Rapid Action Battalion. File photo: Reuters
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Members of the Rapid Action Battalion. File photo: Reuters
The government yesterday (15 September) issued a gazette formally establishing the Special Response Battalion (SRB), a specialised unit under the police force, and dissolving the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
The gazette publishes the Special Response Battalion Act, 2026, which provides for the formation, control, operation and discipline of the new unit. The law states that the SRB will assist the police in maintaining public security, combating terrorism and organised crime, and maintaining overall law and order.
It says a modern, professional, skilled and accountable specialised unit is needed to meet these challenges.
The gazette also emphasised transparency, oversight and accountability in the exercise of the force’s powers.
Under the law, RAB’s manpower, powers and authority, facilities, funds, property, liabilities, contracts, registers, records and documents will be transferred to the SRB.
The SRB will have powers to investigate offences, conduct searches, make arrests and seize property in accordance with the law.
The new unit will operate under Bangladesh Police and have its own flag, emblem and uniform. An officer holding at least the rank of additional inspector general of police will serve as its director general.
The law also provides for a grievance redress committee to deal with complaints against members of the force and internal grievances.
On 10 September, parliament passed the Special Response Battalion Bill, 2026, providing for the dissolution of RAB and formation of the SRB.
The bill was passed by voice vote despite objections from opposition lawmakers, who argued that transferring RAB’s manpower, infrastructure, assets and other resources to the new force could effectively retain the same structure under a different name.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed rejected the argument, saying the SRB had no link with the former RAB.
The United Nations human rights office had recommended disbanding RAB in its February 2025 fact-finding report on human rights violations related to the 2024 July Uprising.
RAB was formed on 26 March 2004 and began operations on 14 April that year.
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