The government on Tuesday issued a gazette announcing the formation of Special Response Battalion (SRB) as a new specialised police unit, and the dissolution of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).

Last week, the treasury bench passed the law regarding SRB, amid opposition protests that SRB would replace RAB, a controversial security force, only in name.

The Gazette states that, in order to assist the police force in maintaining overall law and order by safeguarding public security and combating terrorism and organized crime, there is a need for a modern, professional, skilled, and accountable specialized unit.

At the same time, it is equally important to ensure transparency, oversight, and effective accountability in the exercise of powers by such a specialized force, the gazette noted.

It is primarily in consideration of these requirements that legislation has been enacted to dissolve the existing Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and establish a new Special Response Battalion (SRB), the gazette added.