It said the IGP used the term "crossfire" in its literal sense while referring to strict law enforcement.
TBS Report
27 October, 2026, 01:35 pm
Last modified: 27 October, 2026, 01:42 pm
The government does not support extrajudicial killings in any form, Prime Minister's Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman has said, adding that the prime minister will decide on the inspector general of police's (IGP) remarks after returning to the country.
However, IGP Md Ali Hossain Fakir has already backtracked on his statement, the adviser said at a regular briefing at the Secretariat today (27 October).
In response to news reports yesterday (26 October), the Police Headquarters, in a statement issued in the evening, clarified that the police chief did not use the term "crossfire" to mean extrajudicial killing or punishment outside the judicial process.
Soon, Police Headquarters, in a second statement, revised its clarification and added that he used the term metaphorically to express the force's commitment to taking effective action against drug traders, terrorists, extortionists, and criminals who threaten public safety, not to refer to extrajudicial killings or punishment outside the judicial process.
It said the IGP used the term "crossfire" in its literal sense while referring to strict law enforcement.
At the inauguration of a bank's branch in Dhaka earlier in the day, IGP Fakir had said police would not hesitate to carry out crossfire if the government gave approval when necessary.
His remarks drew widespread discussion and criticism after being reported in the media, with domestic and international human rights organisations condemning and protesting the statement.
Speaking about the burial of freedom fighter Manik Pashari, Adviser Zahed said the activities of a political party surrounding his funeral and burial were regrettable.
"No one liked such behaviour with the mortal remains of a person," he said.
The adviser also spoke about the vandalism of a young man's house in Rangpur yesterday after allegations rose that he hurt religious sentiment.
He said extremists were flexing their muscles in the country, and action had been taken and police were deployed in the area. The government would take action against anyone committing such offences during its tenure, he added.
On ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina's participation in a virtual conference, Zahed said Bangladesh was unhappy with her delivering online speeches from India. "The government's position on her remains unchanged."
Calling on the opposition to participate in the constitutional reform committee, he said the government would also work on the points in the July National Charter on which notes of dissent had been recorded.