Sangsad Bhaban, Sept. 10 -- Parliament on Thursday passed the Special Response Battalion (SRB) Bill, 2026, paving the way for the abolition of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and its replacement with a specialised police unit despite strong objections from opposition lawmakers.

The bill seeks to establish the SRB by removing the provisions relating to RAB from the Armed Police Battalions Ordinance, 2003, which provided the legal basis for the formation of RAB.

Bill proposing creation of SRB replacing RAB placed in parliament

RAB was formed in 2004 under the amended ordinance and has faced criticism over allegations of human rights violations and enforced disappearances.

The government is now repealing the ordinance and enacting separ...