Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir today (26 October) said police will not hesitate to resort to “crossfire” to curb crime if the government allows the measure.
“Our responsibility is to apply the law and the Constitution wherever and whenever necessary. If a crossfire is necessary, and the government allows it, we will proceed accordingly,” he said while speaking at the inauguration of the Community Islamic Bank System in the capital’s Chawkbazar area.
The IGP said, “If we beat people with batons, you will call us a fascist police force. If we remain silent, you will call us weak. So you must provide us with an environment in which we can work. You must empower us.”
He urged people not to take the law into their own hands. He also cautioned against routinely blaming the police for every incident.
Rights groups, experts slam remarks
Rights organisations and human rights experts today condemned the IGP’s remarks, saying extrajudicial killings violate the Constitution and cannot be justified under any circumstances.
The Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), and Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) in separate press statements called for accountability and a clear government position on the remarks.
TIB demanded that the police chief withdraw his remarks, issue an unconditional public apology and be removed from office, saying the statement reflects disregard for the Constitution and the rule of law.
TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said government approval could not legitimise extrajudicial killings and raised serious concerns about the use of lethal force and the accountability of law enforcement agencies.
Citing Articles 31 and 32 of the Constitution, which safeguard legal protection and the right to life and personal liberty, he said police must operate within constitutional and legal boundaries.
The organisation called on the government to clarify its position on the IGP’s remarks and ensure their withdrawal, an unconditional public apology and administrative action, including his removal from office until accountability is ensured.
ASK condemned the remarks as unacceptable from someone holding the highest position in the police hierarchy, saying they contradict the rule of law, constitutional rights and fundamental human rights principles.
The human rights organisation said neither the state nor law enforcement agencies have the right to kill anyone extrajudicially, even if the person is accused of a crime.
ASK also said the remarks were inconsistent with the current government’s election manifesto pledge to end extrajudicial killings. It demanded an immediate explanation from the government, a clear declaration that such killings would not be authorised or tolerated, and an institutional review of the IGP’s statement.
HRSS questioned whether the government considers extrajudicial killings permissible or whether the police chief has expressed his personal views.
The organisation demanded a clear explanation from the government and a commitment to preventing unlawful killings by law enforcement agencies and ensuring accountability.
HRSS Executive Director Ijajul Islam said offenders must be tried in court to establish the rule of law, he said, adding that extrajudicial killings could not be justified even with state approval.
Speaking to TBS, rights advocates and legal experts also expressed strong disapproval over the remarks, pointing out that such statements from the highest position in law enforcement undermine the rule of law.
Human rights activist Nur Khan Liton said the IGP’s remarks are a violation of the Constitution and the law, saying anyone making such statements from the highest position in the police should be held accountable.
Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Manzill Murshid described the IGP’s remarks about crossfire being allowed by the government as possibly emotional, suggesting they might have been made in the context of anti-drug operations or other issues.
However, Murshid said publicly seeking permission for crossfire was inappropriate for someone in the IGP’s position and urged waiting for a clarification before drawing conclusions.
Jamaat demands action over IGP’s crossfire remarks
The Jamaat-e-Islami today demanded action against the IGP over his remarks.
In a statement, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Ahsanul Mahbub Zubair said the remarks are contrary to the Constitution and the rule of law.
He said the police chief’s remarks were unacceptable, particularly amid the country’s deteriorating law and order situation, and warned that they could signal a return to a climate of fear.
Hasnat Abdullah calls IGP a thug
Meanwhile, NCP Chief Organiser (Southern Region) and Cumilla-4 MP Hasnat Abdullah today criticised the IGP over his remarks on crossfire, accusing him of speaking like a thug and urging police to remain neutral.
“This government-appointed IGP is a thug. Like in the fascist era, he is now threatening crossfire. Let us see what action the government takes against him,” Hasnat said at an NCP public outreach programme in Mugda in the capital in the afternoon.
DRU gives IGP 24 hours to withdraw remarks, apologise
The Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU) today issued a 24-hour ultimatum for the IGP to withdraw his statement and offer a public apology.
DRU President Abu Saleh Akon and General Secretary Mainul Hasan Sohel warned in a joint statement that the organisation would announce tough protest programmes if the police chief fails to apologise within 24 hours.
Police HQ clarifies
The Bangladesh Police Headquarters today clarified that the IGP did not use the term “crossfire” to mean extrajudicial killing or punishment outside the judicial process.
According to the Police Headquarters, the IGP was expressing the police force’s firm commitment to taking effective action against drug traders, terrorists, extortionists and criminals who pose threats to public safety. He used the term “crossfire” in its literal sense while referring to strict law enforcement, not to extrajudicial killings or punishment outside the judicial process, the statement said.
Meanwhile, the headquarters said the IGP’s remarks about journalists at the same event had caused confusion.
It clarified that he had not intended to make a sweeping comment about journalists and that the remark was made inadvertently.
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