Cops will carry out ‘crossfire’ if govt allows: IGP

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir has said police will resort to ‘crossfire’ operations if the government authorises them, drawing concern over his remarks on the use of force and extrajudicial killings.

The IGP made the statement on Monday afternoon at the inauguration of ‘Community Islamic’, the Islamic banking service of Community Bank Bangladesh PLC, at Chawkbazar in Old Dhaka.

Responding to criticism of police conduct and the use of force, Ali Hossain Fakir said police were branded fascist when they used force but called weak when they remained inactive. The force, he said, needed a proper working environment to maintain law and order.

“If crossfire is necessary and the government allows it, we will do it,” he said.

Referring to a statement by 101 citizens over the arrest of 85 people from the residence of an additional deputy inspector general (DIG), the IGP questioned whether those arrested could invoke constitutional rights over alleged illegal activities inside police housing.

“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 you are allowed to do these things?” he said.

“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,” he added.
Asked about political developments, the IGP said the timing of “Apa’s” return was not a matter for law enforcement agencies.

“Who will come or when Apa will return is not our concern as law enforcement agencies. Our responsibility is to take whatever measures are necessary, wherever required, in accordance with the law and the Constitution,” he said.

He called for public cooperation in maintaining law and order, urging people not to be misled by rumours or false information and to verify incidents before drawing conclusions. Collective efforts, he said, were essential to restoring normalcy and ensuring economic progress.

The IGP said police were indispensable to public safety and peaceful living, urging people neither to blackmail the force nor to allow themselves to be blackmailed.

“People need the police from the cradle to the grave. Acknowledging this, allow me to perform my duties in accordance with the law and the Constitution,” he said.

Addressing journalists, he said police had their own checks-and-balances mechanisms and would take action against any member found guilty of wrongdoing.

He urged journalists to avoid giving credence to false allegations and rumours and to work with police to address actual incidents.

However, he alleged that some journalists remained silent about certain incidents after receiving money but criticised police when they did not receive payments.

Ali Hossain Fakir denied that police had violated human rights or used excessive force, referring to the situation following the July Uprising.

He said police officers had been afraid to perform their duties on the streets and lacked the courage to visit different places during that period.

“From that situation, we have been working day and night for the country's development,” he said.

The Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) expressed deep concern and condemned the IGP's statement that police would carry out ‘crossfire’ operations if authorised by the government, describing the practice as extrajudicial killing.