Govt Unveils Draft Bill To Rename RAB As SRB

The government has initiated a move to rename the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) as the Special Response Battalion (SRB) under a proposed new legal framework.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has published the draft bill on its website seeking public opinion. The proposed legislation aims to provide a legal basis for the existing RAB structure by reconstituting it as a specialised unit under the Bangladesh Police.

The draft law outlines the proposed unit's powers and responsibilities, including operational activities, criminal investigations, disciplinary procedures and handling complaints from members of the public.

Under the proposed legislation, the SRB would have a government-approved emblem, flag and uniform, while its headquarters would be established in Dhaka.

The Director General of the SRB would be appointed from among serving police officers and must hold at least the rank of Additional Inspector General of Police (Additional IGP).

The proposed unit would be responsible for maintaining internal security, gathering intelligence, recovering illegal firearms, ammunition and explosives, combating narcotics, tackling cybercrime, preventing human trafficking and fighting organised crime.

It would also carry out other duties assigned by the government.

Officials at the Ministry of Home Affairs said that after the draft is finalised, it will be circulated among relevant ministries and government departments for their opinions before being placed before the Cabinet.

If approved by the Cabinet, the bill will be submitted to Parliament for enactment.

Once the proposed law comes into force, the existing legal framework governing RAB will be repealed. However, certain provisions of the existing law will remain effective until new regulations are introduced.