Dhaka: The cabinet on Monday approved the draft of Armed Police Battalions Act, 2026 with a view to modernising and making the force more people-friendly, by abolishing the existing ordinance. The approval came from the cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat here.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the proposed law will entrust the Armed Police Battalion with responsibilities such as maintaining public security, providing security to VIPs and government-designated important installations, and taking action against individuals involved in terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking, rape, and crimes against humanity. Additionally, the battalion, as a part of the police force, will assist other law enforcement agencies in maintaining law and order.
The draft law also suggests empowering members of the battalion to investigate criminal offences and conduct related proceedings, subject to compliance with the Code of Criminal Procedure and other laws. It further proposes provisions for the establishment of special courts and summary courts, outlining procedures for conducting trials.
Under the proposed law, the Armed Police Battalion will operate under the control and supervision of an additional inspector general of police. The draft aims to modernize the existing legal framework and make the Armed Police Battalion more people-oriented by being prepared in Bangla.
The draft was uploaded on the website of the Ministry of Home Affairs to seek public opinion. It seeks to repeal the Armed Police Battalions Ordinance, 1979, while retaining the validity of actions taken under the existing ordinance. The draft law received final approval from the Cabinet, subject to vetting by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division.