Islami Andolan secretary general says the comments reveal an alarming attitude towards law, courts and human rights
Islami Andolan Bangladesh Secretary General Maulana Gazi Ataur Rahman has described Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ali Hossain Fakir’s remarks on crossfire as alarming, saying they evoke memories of the police under the ousted regime.
“We want to believe that Ali Hossain Fakir made the remark in a light-hearted mood, although someone holding such an important position cannot afford to make such comments in a light-hearted manner,” Gazi Ataur Rahman said in a statement issued today.
Earlier today at an event, IGP Ali Hossain had said police would use “crossfire” if necessary, if the government allows it.
Criticising the police’s official accounts of crossfire incidents, the Islami Andolan leader said police had traditionally described such incidents as cases in which they returned fire after being shot at by criminal gangs, resulting in the alleged criminal’s death in an exchange of gunfire.
“Although the reality is different, the police have always described it this way,” he said.
“The way the IGP spoke today about carrying out crossfire killings amounts to an official admission that police use the term ‘crossfire’ to describe the deliberate shooting and killing of a person.
“What is particularly alarming is that the police chief is publicly declaring an intention to carry out an act that is outside the law and judicial process and violates human rights in every sense,” Gazi Ataur said.
“Even if the government wants it, a police force funded by public money cannot engage in such crimes against humanity,” he added.
Criticising the tendency to follow government orders in violation of the law and human rights, he said, “It was this tendency to obey government orders even when they violated the law and recognised human rights that made life unbearable for people during the ousted fascist regime. The police displaying the same attitude even after the mass uprising is unacceptable.”