[🇧🇩] Bangladesh Police and Rapid Action Battalion

[Saif]

Police to maintain neutrality, professionalism in national election: IGP

Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam on Tuesday said police will uphold professionalism, neutrality and a strong sense of responsibility during the national parliamentary election. He made the remarks while addressing Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) probationers at the Hall of Integri

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Police to maintain neutrality, professionalism in national election: IGP

UNB

Jan 27, 2026 21:45
Updated :
Jan 27, 2026 21:45

Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam on Tuesday said police will uphold professionalism, neutrality and a strong sense of responsibility during the national parliamentary election.

He made the remarks while addressing Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) probationers at the Hall of Integrity at Police Headquarters in the morning.

The programme was attended by ASP probationers of the 27th BCS (Police) batch, who were initially selected in 2008 and joined recently, along with officers from the 28th and 43rd batches.

The IGP said efforts are underway to raise morale within the force and rebuild public trust.

Congratulating the probationers, he said their joining marks not only a personal success but also the restoration of their rightful position in the service.

Referring to emerging challenges, he said cybercrime is rising and public opinion is increasingly shaped through social media. “In this context, policing can no longer depend only on physical presence or traditional methods.”

He stressed the need for intelligence-based policing, global awareness and technological skills, saying integrity and professionalism must also be ensured in the digital space.

Urging the probationers to prepare themselves as future leaders of Bangladesh Police, the IGP asked them to undergo training at the Bangladesh Police Academy with strict discipline, punctuality and adherence to rules.

Of the probationers, 60 are from the 27th batch, one from the 28th batch and six from the 43rd batch.

The officers of the 27th BCS (Police) batch received their appointments after a prolonged legal process, having been deprived of recruitment earlier.

Senior officials of the police headquarters were also present at the event.​

 

[Saif]

Why is Rab getting new vehicles?

Govt must reconsider its decision, focus on reform proposals instead

www.thedailystar.net

Why is Rab getting new vehicles?
Govt must reconsider its decision, focus on reform proposals instead

29 January 2026, 00:00 AM
UPDATED 29 January 2026, 17:25 PM

We are concerned by the interim government’s decision to approve the purchase of 163 vehicles for the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab)—that, too, at the end of its tenure. According to a Prothom Alo report, the vehicles are to be procured through direct purchase without any tender under a revised project aimed at enhancing Rab’s “operational capacity.” While the government has said the vehicles cannot be purchased before the national election due to procedural requirements, the approval itself raises questions. At a time when Rab’s very existence is under national and international scrutiny, this decision sends a wrong signal.

For years, Rab has been accused of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture, and other grave human rights violations. These allegations are not confined to domestic rights groups; they have been echoed by international organisations and UN bodies. Consequently, in 2021, the US imposed sanctions on Rab and several of its former and then-serving officials. The role of this force was questionable during the July uprising, too. The Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, formed by the interim government itself, recommended disbanding Rab after identifying it as the worst offender in cases of enforced disappearances. The Police Reform Commission also proposed reviewing Rab’s past activities and allegations of abuse to assess whether the force is needed at all. Citing this widespread criticism, the TIB chief has pointed out that Rab’s dissolution has become a national demand.

Against this backdrop, the decision to strengthen Rab’s logistical capacity is not only misguided, it also ignores prevailing reform proposals as well as well-documented facts and findings. We must ask why the government has made such a decision, and what purpose it serves. Proceeding with direct procurement worth hundreds of crores of taka at a time of economic stress and political uncertainty is equally questionable.

If the interim government is serious about reform, justice, and restoring public confidence in law enforcement, it must reconsider this purchase and act upon the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances and the Police Reform Commission. Instead of enhancing Rab’s capacity, the government should focus on disbanding the force or fundamentally rebuilding it through a transparent process that addresses its structural flaws, lack of accountability, and history of political misuse.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh to rename RAB as SIF, says adviser

The interim government has decided to rename the Rapid Action Battalion amid calls from the United Nations and various human rights organisations to disband the elite force.

www.newagebd.net

Bangladesh to rename RAB as SIF, says adviser
Staff Correspondent 03 February, 2026, 15:58

Interim government has decided to rename the Rapid Action Battalion as Special Intervention Force. | UNB photo

The interim government has decided to rename the Rapid Action Battalion amid calls from the United Nations and various human rights organisations to disband the elite force.

Home adviser retired Lieutenant General Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Tuesday said the new name of RAB would be Special Intervention Force.

He made the remarks while speaking to journalists after a meeting of the law and order–related core committee at the home ministry.

'The chief adviser has already approved the decision. A government order will be issued shortly,' he said.

He also said changes would be brought to the force’s uniform along with the name.

'A decision has already been taken. You will soon see SIF members in a new uniform,' he added.

RAB was formed on March 26, 2004, during the BNP-led four-party alliance government amid a rise in militancy and a deterioration of law and order.

Members from the police, army, navy, air force, Ansar and VDP, Border Guard Bangladesh, and Coast Guard were brought together to form the force.

Over the years, RAB has faced widespread allegations of extrajudicial killings, often described as ‘crossfire’ or ‘gunfights’. Such allegations continued during both the BNP and Awami League tenures in power.

International bodies, including the United Nations, and domestic and global human rights organisations have repeatedly called for the force’s disbandment, citing concerns over human rights violations.

However, the Professor Muhammad Yunus-led interim government has opted for a restructuring through renaming and rebranding instead.

In December 2021, the United States government imposed sanctions on RAB and several of its former and serving officials over allegations of serious human rights violations.

Following the sanctions, incidents of so-called ‘crossfire’ involving the force declined sharply and were almost halted, according to rights groups and monitoring organisations.​