Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has disagreed with the statement made by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Md. Ali Hossain Fakir, regarding ‘crossfire’. He stated that the government does not want crossfire; rather, its stance on extrajudicial killings is ‘zero tolerance’. The Home Minister mentioned that the IGP made such a remark inadvertently while discussing the strict enforcement of law, adding, “This was not right, it should not have happened.”
Responding to the matter on Tuesday evening (October 27), the Home Minister said that the IGP is a straightforward person. He made the statement inadvertently while discussing the strict enforcement of law. However, the government will not allow extrajudicial killings or tolerate deaths in police custody.
Earlier, on Monday (October 26), IGP Md. Ali Hossain Fakir had stated at an event in Chawkbazar, Old Dhaka, that ‘crossfire’ would be used if necessary, with government permission. Explaining his remarks, he said that if the police use force, one group calls them ‘fascist’, and if they remain inactive, they are labeled weak. He also commented that the police must be provided with a suitable environment to perform their duties in maintaining law and order.
The Home Minister said that establishing the rule of law and improving the law and order situation are the government’s top priorities. The government will take necessary steps to curb crime and ensure the proper application of law. However, he reiterated that the government will not accept any incidents of extrajudicial killings or deaths in custody.
Meanwhile, BNP Acting Secretary General and Political Advisor to the Prime Minister, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, commented that the IGP’s ‘crossfire’-related statement was embarrassing for the government. He made this remark on Tuesday afternoon during the inauguration of a free medical service program organized by Juba Dal on the occasion of its 48th founding anniversary, in front of the BNP central office.
Rizvi stated that BNP has long fought against enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. The fact that the police chief made a ‘crossfire’-related statement while a government formed by that party is in power is a matter of concern for them.
Following the IGP’s comments, various political parties and human rights organizations, including Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizens Party (NCP), Islami Andolan Bangladesh, and AB Party, reacted and expressed their anger.
Following the criticism, a clarification issued by the Police Headquarters on Monday evening stated that the IGP did not use the term ‘crossfire’ to mean extrajudicial killing or punishment outside the judicial process. The explanation mentioned that he used the word to signify the strict enforcement of law against criminals.
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