Police will use ‘crossfire’ if government allows it: IGP

Says law enforcement must act within the Constitution; urges public to abide by the law

Inspector General of Police Md Ali Hossain Fakir today said police would use “crossfire” if necessary, with permission from the government.

“Wherever crossfire is necessary, if the government allows it, we will do that,” he said.

The IGP, also chairman of Community Bank Bangladesh, made the remarks at a programme in Dhaka’s Chawkbazar marking the launch of the bank’s Islamic banking services.

Just before making the remark, he said police would enforce the law and act in accordance with the Constitution.

He said police faced criticism regardless of how they responded to situations, arguing that they were labelled “fascist” if they used batons and “weak” if they remained silent.

He called for police to be empowered and given an environment in which they could carry out their duties.

“If you want to live in peace, there is no alternative to the police,” he said, adding that police were needed “from the cradle to the grave”.

The IGP said the armed forces were responsible for defending the country and its sovereignty, while maintaining internal peace and order required cooperation between police and the public.

He urged people not to take the law into their own hands and said both the public and police must abide by the law and the Constitution.

The police chief also claimed that police had not violated human rights or used unnecessary force.

Referring to the period following the July uprising, he said police personnel had been afraid to perform their duties on the streets.

He acknowledged that some police personnel had been involved in drug-related activities.

The IGP also urged people not to believe rumours or false accusations about police and called for public cooperation in maintaining law and order.

“Who will come, when ‘apa’ will come, and what will happen are not matters for the law enforcement agencies to concern themselves with. Our responsibility is to enforce the law in accordance with the Constitution, wherever and whenever necessary,” he said.

Regarding a recent statement issued by 101 citizens over the arrest of 85 people from a additional deputy inspector general’s house, the IGP said, “Can you secretly consume alcohol, get drunk, and take cocaine and heroin inside police housing, and then claim that this is unconstitutional? Where does the Constitution say that you are allowed to do these things?

“Having freedom does not mean you can do whatever you want. You must remain within the bounds of the law and conduct yourself in society in accordance with the ethics and morality of this country.”