3 bills placed in JS: Opposition objects to proposed RAB replacement

The government yesterday placed three bills in parliament, including one proposing the dissolution of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and its replacement with a new specialised force, the Special Response Battalion (SRB).

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed placed the Special Response Battalion Bill, 2026 and the Armed Police Battalions Bill, 2026, while Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury placed the Bank Resolution (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

The SRB bill was sent to the parliamentary standing committee on the Home Ministry for scrutiny. The committee was asked to submit its report within four working days after opposition leaders sought more time to examine the proposed legislation.

The other two bills were sent to the relevant parliamentary standing committees, which were asked to submit their reports within two working days.

'SRB is old wine in a new bottle'

Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam objected to the SRB bill, saying he supported dissolving RAB but opposed forming the SRB, prompting questions as to why he had not moved to dissolve RAB himself while serving in the interim government.

NCP leader Nahid Islam further said the proposed force appeared to be an attempt to replace RAB with another force carrying similar powers.

Referring to RAB as a legacy of the previous "fascist government", Nahid said anti-fascist political parties had agreed to completely abolish the elite force. "Instead, the government is replacing RAB with SRB, which is nothing but old wine in a new bottle," he said.

He argued that RAB should first be dissolved and that parliament should then hold a detailed discussion on whether a new specialised police unit was necessary.

Shafiqul also called for more time to review the bill before it was considered by the standing committee, saying this would allow lawmakers from both the government and opposition benches to examine it properly and help build broader consensus.

Under the proposed law, all RAB members, powers, authority, benefits, funds, property, accounts, records and other assets would be transferred to the SRB.

The government would form the unit by deputing members from the police and other law-enforcement agencies and appointing additional officers and employees.

The bill also proposes a multiparty complaints committee to address grievances from citizens and unit members. Until new regulations are framed, existing rules governing departmental proceedings against RAB members would remain in force with necessary modifications.

Armed Police Battalions Bill

The Armed Police Battalions Bill, 2026 proposes repealing the 1979 Armed Police Battalions Ordinance and establishing a new legal framework for the force.

The proposed law would empower APBn to investigate crimes and act against terrorism, drug and human trafficking, rape, abduction, violence against women and children, cybercrime, enforced disappearance and land grabbing.

The force would also maintain public security, protect the president, prime minister and designated VIPs, and secure key government installations and airports.

The bill provides for special and summary trial courts, as well as detention, barracks and interrogation facilities for investigations and operations.

APBn would operate under the administrative and command authority of an additional inspector general of police, under the overall supervision of the inspector general.

Bank Resolution (Amendment) Bill

The Bank Resolution (Amendment) Bill, 2026, proposes the repeal of Section 18(A) of the Bank Resolution Act, 2026.

The provision allowed former shareholders of weak or distressed banks to seek restoration of ownership if they met certain conditions. Critics had warned that it could allow individuals accused of driving banks towards insolvency to regain ownership.

The bill said the provision had been introduced to keep banks operational during restructuring, address capital and liquidity shortages, protect depositors and investors, and reduce the government's financial liabilities.

However, no individual or institution had applied to regain ownership under the provision, according to the bill. The government has therefore proposed repealing Section 18(A).