Senior Reporter; Dbarta24 – The Bangladesh government has taken a major step to reform its elite law enforcement by moving to abolish the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). In its place, a new force named the Special Response Battalion (SRB) will be formed.
The Ministry of Home Affairs published the draft of the “Special Response
Battalion (SRB) Act, 2026″ on its website this Thursday, inviting public
feedback on the proposal.
A Move for Reform and Accountability
For years, RAB has faced criticism and allegations of human rights abuses. The
new SRB is being designed with a focus on transparency and legal accountability.
Unlike the previous structure, the proposed law includes a specific provision
allowing citizens to file formal complaints against SRB members for misconduct,
harassment, or abuse of power. To handle these complaints, a Grievance Redressal
Committee will be established.
Senior Secretary of the Public Security Division, Monjur Morshed Chowdhury,
stated that the ministry will review all public suggestions before finalizing
the draft and sending it to the Cabinet for approval.
Structure and Leadership
The SRB will operate as a specialized unit under the Bangladesh Police. Key
features of its structure include:
– Leadership: The force will be headed by a Director General with the rank of
Additional IGP.
– Personnel: Members will be drawn from the police and other disciplined
forces (such as the armed forces) on deputation for a minimum of two years.
– Headquarters: The main office will be in Dhaka, with units across the
country.
Powers and Responsibilities
The SRB will retain the authority to conduct raids, searches, and arrests
following the Code of Criminal Procedure. Its primary focus areas include:
– Counter-terrorism and stopping militant hideouts.
– Recovering illegal arms and explosives.
– Combating narcotics, human trafficking, and organized crime.
– Investigating cybercrimes and threats to state security.
Under the new law, investigations must be led by an officer with the rank of at
least Sub-Inspector. The unit will also have its own lock-ups and interrogation
rooms.
The Grievance Redressal Committee
To ensure the force remains accountable, the proposed committee will include:
– An Additional Director General of the SRB (as Chairman).
– Representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Police Headquarters.
– A government-nominated expert with at least 10 years of experience in human
rights or law.
This committee will have the power to investigate allegations of illegal
influence or harassment and recommend strict departmental or legal action
against guilty members.
Smooth Transition
The draft act clarifies that once the law is implemented, all assets, manpower,
funds, and ongoing cases of RAB will be transferred to the SRB. Existing
regulations will remain in place until new rules are officially framed.
The move marks a significant shift in Bangladesh’s internal security strategy,
aiming to balance elite tactical operations with the protection of civic rights.