Govt plans new elite force under fresh law: Home Minister

The government is planning to form a new elite force under a separate law and with a new identity, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Monday (May 18) while addressing questions over the future of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).

Speaking at a press conference held at the RAB headquarters in the capital’s Kurmitola marking the force’s founding anniversary, the minister said a dedicated law would soon be enacted to govern the proposed force.

He noted that RAB has long operated under provisions linked to the Battalion Act rather than a standalone legal framework, which he described as inadequate. The upcoming law, he said, would clearly define the authority, responsibilities and accountability structure of the elite force to ensure greater transparency and institutional oversight.

The minister added that discussions are still underway on whether the existing RAB name will be retained or an entirely new force will be established.

Referring to the US sanctions imposed on RAB, Salahuddin Ahmed said state institutions had suffered during what he termed a “fascist regime,” alleging that certain officials had used the force as a political tool, leading to the sanctions.

However, he argued that the institution itself should not be held responsible for the actions of a few individuals. According to him, if the force is restructured under a new framework and identity, the United States may reconsider its position positively.

Responding to a question about whether the proposed elite force could again be used for political purposes in the future, the minister said recent conduct of law enforcement agencies demonstrated otherwise.

“Have the police or any other force been used politically over the past three months? Morning shows the day,” he remarked.

Senior officials from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Police, along with commanders from various RAB battalions, were present at the event.