SRB replaces RAB

Project redesigned for full Dhaka CCTV coverage: Salahuddin

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Thursday informed that the government is redesigning the Development Project Proposal (DPP) of a project aimed at bringing the entire Dhaka city under CCTV coverage.

“Following the decisions of the scrutiny committee meeting, the DPP of the project is currently being restructured. If the project is approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), necessary initiatives can be taken to bring the entire Dhaka Metropolitan area under a CCTV monitoring system,” he said.

The minister made the remarks in reply to a tabled question from opposition Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Mohammed Kamal Hossain (Dhaka-5).

Earlier, Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal tabled the question-and-answer session at the outset of Thursday’s sitting, which began at 3pm.

The Home Minister said the project titled “Development of Smart Policing in DMP” remains included in the list of unapproved new projects under the Annual Development Programme (ADP), with the aim of bringing the entire Dhaka city under CCTV monitoring.

He said a scrutiny committee meeting on the preliminary DPP of the project was held on May 24, 2026, chaired by the Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Five new patrol vessels planned for Coast Guard: In reply to another scripted question from independent lawmaker Sk. Mozibur Rahman Iqbal (Kishoreganj-5), Salahuddin Ahmed said the government has planned to build five new Inshore Patrol Vessel (IPV) ships at local dockyards using advanced technology to modernise the Bangladesh Coast Guard and enhance its operational capabilities.

"At the same time, activities are underway to establish the Coast Guard Research and Development Centre (CRDC) to enhance the force's research and innovation capabilities," he said.

He said activities are also underway to establish a Coastal Surveillance System (CSS) which would contribute to developing new technologies, addressing operational problems and enhancing technological capabilities.

BGB seizes 1.55cr yaba pills this year: Responding to a scripted question from independent lawmaker Sultana Jesmin (Women's Seat-49), the Home Minister said the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has seized 1.55 crore yaba pills, 29 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine (ice), 9.5 kilogrammes of heroin, one kilogramme of opium, 14 bottles of LSD, 26,474 bottles of Phensedyl, 11,707 kilogrammes of cannabis and 57,469 bottles of foreign liquor and beer across the country during 2026.

He said 1,219 accused persons were also arrested during the drives in the current year. "Activities are underway to seal the routes through which drugs enter the country along the India-Myanmar borders through modern surveillance using thermal cameras and drones," Salahuddin said.

Meanwhile, The National Parliament has passed a bill to dissolve the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and form a new specialised force called the Special Response Battalion (SRB), despite strong objections from opposition lawmakers.

As Parliament moves to dissolve RAB, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed says the force cannot be retained, while Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman recalls that its dissolution has been demanded by Begum Khaleda Zia and human rights groups.

Opposition members alleged that transferring RAB's manpower, assets, facilities and equipment to the new force would effectively mean keeping the old force under a new name. They described it as "old wine in a new bottle."

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, however, said there was no scope to retain a force like RAB and stressed that the bill was aimed at dissolving RAB. He said there was no alternative to transferring state-owned assets to the new force in order to protect them.

The Home Minister moved the motion to pass the bill during yesterday's parliamentary session, chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

During the discussion, opposition lawmakers proposed that the bill be sent to a select committee or be opened for public opinion. The proposals were rejected through a voice vote, and the bill was later passed with amendments.

Leader of the Opposition Dr Shafiqur Rahman said dissolving RAB had been a demand of many people and organisations, including Begum Khaleda Zia and national and international human rights groups.

He said no one had demanded another force of the same nature after RAB's dissolution. Instead, he argued, the government was now proposing a similar force under a different name.

Referring to a recent incident in which RAB allegedly attempted to abduct a female student of Jagannath University, Shafiqur Rahman said the incident raised questions about the people associated with the force. He alleged that the same personnel were being transferred to the same places and only the name was being changed.

Opposition member Nurul Islam said people feared RAB because of alleged human rights violations and enforced disappearances. He also criticised the government for passing the bill within four working days without prior discussion.

MP Najibur Rahman referred to the 2014 Narayanganj seven-murder case and recalled that Begum Khaleda Zia had called RAB a "killing squad" after the incident and demanded its dissolution. He also said she later described RAB as a "cancer" in 2019, while the BNP formally recommended its dissolution in 2024.

In response, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said dissolving RAB was a BNP election pledge and that the process was now underway. He said delaying the bill would only prolong RAB's existence.

He said the bill had already been discussed by the parliamentary committee and had remained available on the ministry's website for a long period to receive opinions. A grievance redressal committee is also being formed to deal with departmental complaints against members of the force.

Explaining the government's position, the Home Minister said RAB would be dissolved after the law was passed and the SRB would be formed as a new battalion with no connection to RAB.

He said RAB has a large amount of weapons, equipment, intelligence equipment and other state property. These assets have to be transferred somewhere, either to the Armed Police Battalion (APBn) or the new agency. This would also avoid the need for fresh procurement, he said.

Former State Minister for Home Affairs and Netrokona-4 MP Lutfuzzaman Babar said a specialised force like RAB was necessary for the country's independence, sovereignty and public safety.

He said RAB had previously played an important role in dealing with the August 17 serial bombings and operations against top terrorists and extortionists. He recalled that people celebrated some of those successes by distributing sweets.

Babar said RAB had been managed efficiently rather than being used for political purposes, although questions later arose over some of its activities. He also recalled that he was arrested in a fabricated arms case on May 28, 2007, and a RAB officer was made a witness in the case.

Welcoming the formation of the SRB, Babar said Bangladesh still faces threats such as bombings and other security risks. He said a specialised organisation was essential for protecting the country's independence, sovereignty and public safety.

He added that some matters related to national security could not be disclosed publicly. He said the Prime Minister and the Home Minister had assured that the SRB would operate to protect the people's freedom and sovereignty, while there would be scope to review the law and make amendments if necessary in the future.