Govt renames RAB as Special Intervention Force

The interim government has renamed the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). The force will now be called the Special Intervention Force (SIF).

The decision was announced on Tuesday (February 3) by Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, following a meeting of the Core Committee on Law and Order at the Secretariat.

The adviser said the Chief Adviser had formed a committee, headed by Lieutenant General (Retd) Abdul Hafiz, Special Assistant on Defence and National Solidarity Development, to reorganise RAB. The committee recommended renaming RAB as the Special Intervention Force (SIF), a proposal that was approved by the Chief Adviser.

The change will take effect from today, and the force’s operations will resume under the new name. A government order will be issued in this regard.

Asked whether the change would affect the nature of the force’s work, the adviser said the transformation of its operations had already been underway. He noted that there is a significant difference between the force’s activities one and a half years ago and those at present.

At the time, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Nasimul Gani said the name was changed because the public viewed the name “RAB” negatively.

The Home Affairs Adviser also said that a drill involving election officials and members of law enforcement agencies would be held in Savar.