RAB's new name is 'SIF'; Order issued soon

Photo: CNI

News Desk: The interim government has decided to change the name of the elite force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). The new name of RAB will be “Special Intervention Force (SIF)”. A government order regarding this will be issued soon.

The information was shared with journalists on Tuesday (3 February) after a meeting of the law and order–related core committee at the Secretariat by Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury. He said, “After a detailed review of the force’s structure and activities, the decision to change the name has been taken. New uniforms are also being prepared.”

It may be noted that in the initial phase of its formation, the force was named Rapid Action Team (RAT). RAB was formally established in 2004 during the government of Khaleda Zia.

RAB has long faced allegations of human rights violations. In light of these allegations, on 10 December 2021, International Human Rights Day, the United States imposed sanctions on RAB and seven of its officials. The sanctions were imposed separately by the US Treasury Department and the State Department. Former RAB Director General Benazir Ahmed was also included in the sanctions list, and a ban was imposed on his entry into the United States.

Additionally, a fact-finding report published by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), analyzing events that occurred between 1 July and 15 August 2024, recommended the dissolution of RAB. The New York–based human rights organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) has long been calling for RAB’s disbandment.

The Police Reform Commission, formed by the interim government, recommended that to ensure police accountability and establish a people-friendly policing system, RAB’s past activities and allegations of human rights violations should be reviewed and the necessity of the force reassessed.

The BNP has also demanded the dissolution of RAB. At a press conference held on 10 December 2024 at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan, party Standing Committee member Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said that RAB’s past activities have reached a point where reform is no longer possible. He stated, “Just as gangrene must be amputated in medical science, there is no alternative but to abolish this force.”

At the most recent meeting of the law and order–related advisory council committee, extensive discussions were held on RAB’s activities over the past two decades. Participants said that during this period, the force abused power and was involved in enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, leading to international sanctions. To prevent such allegations in the future, instructions were given to review how elite forces operate in countries such as France, Italy, Germany, England, and Turkey.

The government says that through a new name and structure, initiatives will be taken to operate the force in a more accountable and lawful manner.

Meanwhile, expressing optimism about the law and order situation ahead of the elections, the Home Affairs Adviser said, “The morale and efficiency of the police have increased more than at any previous time.” He assured that there would be no problems surrounding the election. According to him, after the announcement of the election schedule, the current situation is much better than in previous elections, and the upcoming election will be acceptable and festive.

On the other hand, Brigadier General Ali Haider Siddiqui, Director General (Operation and Planning) of the Armed Forces Division, said that members of the Army, Navy, and Air Force have already reached every district and upazila in preparation for the election. He also stated that during ongoing operations to maintain law and order, the Army has so far recovered 7,731 weapons.