‘SRB’ Begins Its Journey Retaining The RAB Logo Design
Amid widespread discussions and criticism, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has been dissolved and replaced by the Special Response Battalion (SRB). The government published the gazette notification of the Special Response Battalion (SRB) Act, 2026 on Tuesday. With this, RAB has been dissolved and a specialised unit named SRB has been established under the police.
The head of the force, Ahsan Habib Palash, said, “RAB has been renamed SRB, and all activities started under the new name from yesterday, Wednesday.” The force used a logo bearing the words “SRB Bangladesh” instead of “RAB” on the invitation card for a press conference held on Wednesday. However, no changes were made to the design of the logo. The new logo was also seen in press releases issued by various units of the force.
According to the gazette notification on the formation of SRB, once the law comes into effect, only those provisions of the Armed Police Battalions Ordinance, 1979 that were incorporated for the formation of RAB will be repealed.
However, the RAB (Court Procedure and Departmental Proceedings) Rules, 2005, issued under the authority granted by Section 14 of the ordinance, will remain in force. Any departmental disciplinary action or court proceedings taken against any member of the unit under these rules or any other law or regulation will also remain valid and enforceable.
The SRB Act also states that the relevant personnel, orders, powers, authority, existing facilities, funds, cash and bank deposits, liabilities, contracts, movable and immovable property, all account books, registers, records and all related documents of RAB will be immediately transferred to and vested in SRB.
RAB was formed on March 26, 2004, during the BNP-Jamaat alliance government. Alongside its success in maintaining law and order, the force later faced demands for its abolition over allegations of extrajudicial killings and human rights violations.
On December 10, 2021, the United States imposed sanctions on RAB and seven of its officials over allegations of serious human rights violations. Following the July mass uprising, a committee formed by the BNP to reform the police administration recommended the abolition of RAB on December 10, 2024.
However, after coming to power, the BNP did not abolish the force. Instead, it reorganised its structure and scope of operations and retained it in the field under the new name Special Response Battalion, or SRB.
