IGP used ‘crossfire’ inadvertently to mean strict law enforcement, says Salahuddin

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has cautioned Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir over his choice of words when referring to “crossfire”, saying the police chief used the term carelessly while describing the strict enforcement of law.

No incident of crossfire or custodial death, or enforced disappearance, had occurred during the current government’s tenure so far, he said while speaking to journalists after a meeting of the Constitutional Amendment Committee this afternoon (28 October).

“Eight months have passed under this government. Has there been any crossfire or custodial death? Has anyone been subjected to enforced disappearance? No. There is one allegation, and we are investigating it,” he told journalists, reports BBC Bangla.

He said the government had also invited human rights organisations to conduct independent investigations into the allegation, but no one had submitted a complaint so far.

“This is enough time to assess a government,” he added.

Explaining the IGP’s remarks, Salahuddin said the police chief’s comments had subsequently been clarified.

“While speaking about the strict application of the law, he may have used this wording carelessly,” the minister said.

“He did not say that he had received instructions to carry out crossfire or that he wanted to do it himself. Even so, I told him that using such language was not appropriate,” he added.

The controversy erupted after IGP Ali Hossain Fakir said on 26 October that police would use “crossfire” if necessary and with the government’s permission. He made the remarks at a programme in Dhaka’s Chawkbazar marking the launch of Islamic banking services by Community Bank Bangladesh, of which he is the chairman.

Later that evening, Police Headquarters issued a statement clarifying that the IGP had used the term “crossfire” to convey strict law enforcement, not to refer to extrajudicial killings or punishment outside the judicial process.