RAB to be renamed "Special Intervention Force"

The government has decided to rename the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) as the Special Intervention Force (SIF) and to introduce a redesigned uniform for the force.

A gazette notification formalising the decision will be issued soon.

Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury disclosed the information to journalists on Tuesday after a meeting of the Core Committee on Law and Order at the Secretariat.

He said the decision to rename RAB was taken in response to public demand, as the existing name had developed a negative image. Noting that RAB’s activities have undergone significant changes since 5 August, he added that the change in name would be accompanied by reforms in the force’s operations.

The adviser also expressed hope that there would be no incidents of mob violence during the election, saying the Ministry of Home Affairs is making all-out efforts to prevent such unrest.

He further said the upcoming election would be fair, festive, neutral and acceptable.