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 the proposed law, the Armed Police Battalion will be entrusted with responsibilities, including maintaining public security, providing security to VIPs and government-declared important installations, and taking action against those involved in terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking, rape and crimes against humanity.

The battalion, which is part of the police force, will also assist other law enforcement agencies in maintaining law and order.

The draft law also proposes empowering the 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 and lays down 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 law was prepared in Bangla, making the existing legal framework more up-to-date and the Armed Police Battalion more people-oriented.

The draft was uploaded on the website of the Ministry of Home Affairs to seek public opinion.

The proposed law seeks to repeal the Armed Police Battalions Ordinance, 1979, but retains the validity of actions taken under the existing ordinance.

The draft law was given final approval by the Cabinet subject to vetting by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division.