The government on Sunday formed two more battalions for the country’s elite force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) to tackle the ongoing political violence and also to strengthen security ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election schedule for January 5 next year. Of the two new battalions, one will be deployed in Mymensingh while the other will be working to maintain law and order situation in Rangpur. With these two, the total number of battalions of the elite force now stands at 14.
To form these two battalions, the home ministry issued a gazette notification allowing 1,376 posts including two posts for battalion commanders. Additional Director General (ADG) of RAB Ziaul Ahsan told The Independent that at least 1,200 personnel have already been assigned for the two new battalions–RAb-13 and RAB-14–which will be deployed in Mymensingh and Rangpur areas respectively. “We are expecting that the new battalions will start their proceedings within a couple of days to ensure security for the two important zones,” he said.
“Two Lieutenant Colonels from the armed forces have been appointed as commanders to lead the new battalions,” he added.
On October 29, the secretary-committee on administrative improvement affairs had recommended forming two more battalions of the Rapid Action Battalion to help ensuring law and order in the country.
The committee also approved a resolution to create 1,376 posts including two posts of directors, 12 posts of Deputy Directors, and 70 posts of Senior Assistant Directors for the RAB.
Elite law enforcing agency RAB was formally formed during the tenure of the BNP-led 4-party alliance government on March 26, 2004.
-With The Independent input
