RAB dissolved, SRB begins operations

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has been dissolved and replaced by a new specialised police unit, the Special Response Battalion (SRB).

However, RAB’s powers, facilities, funds, manpower, assets and liabilities have all been transferred to the new force, according to the SRB Act.

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SRB officials said the organisation began operating under the new name yesterday following the publication of a gazette notification on the SRB law on Tuesday.

Formed on March 26, 2004, RAB was credited with helping maintain law and order but later came under mounting criticism over allegations of extrajudicial killings and human rights violations. In 2021, the United States imposed sanctions on the elite force over human rights abuses.

The United Nations, the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, local and international rights organisations, and political parties had also called for RAB’s dissolution.

In line with the move, parliament passed a bill on September 10 to abolish RAB and establish SRB as a specialised unit under the police.

Under the SRB Act, RAB’s manpower, orders, powers, authority, existing facilities, funds, cash and bank deposits, liabilities, contracts, movable and immovable properties, registers, records and other documents will be transferred to SRB.

The law says SRB will be formed through postings or deputations of personnel from the police and other disciplined forces, along with a designated number of officers, armed personnel and employees as required by the government.

The director general of SRB will be a police officer holding a rank no lower than additional inspector general.

The bill faced strong criticism from the opposition in parliament, which argued that changing RAB’s name while retaining its structure and facilities amounted to merely changing its outer shell.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, however, said RAB was being dissolved and that SRB had no connection with the former force.