PM will decide IGP’s fate: Zahed 

 
Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman said on Tuesday that the government would not support extrajudicial killings or any action outside the law. Sheikh Hasina would face due legal process if she returned to Bangladesh, he added.

Speaking at a press conference at the Press Information Department at the Secretariat, Zahed said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would decide the government’s position on controversial remarks by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir after returning from Japan.

He condemned the recent incident  of a freedom fighter’s burial by stressing that the remains of deceased people deserved respect.

Zahed said the government would take action against those involved in mob violence, attacks on political offices and other criminal activities. A government that kills people outside the judicial process loses its character as a state and becomes a criminal entity, he said.

He added that the government had no intention of staying in power through illegitimate elections or taking actions that could damage the country’s image. Public servants were not obliged to carry out unlawful orders, even if given in writing, he said.

The IGP sparked controversy on Monday while speaking at an event in Old Dhaka. He said police faced criticism when they used force and were also labelled weak when they remained inactive.

“If crossfire becomes necessary, and if the government permits it, we will do it,” the IGP said. He also alleged that some journalists secretly took money from drug traders and criticised police when they did not receive payments.

Police Headquarters later clarified that the IGP had not used “crossfire” to mean extrajudicial killings or punishment outside the judicial process. It said he had not intended to make sweeping allegations against journalists and that his comments were inadvertent.

Asked whether the IGP should apologise, Zahed said the police chief had explained what he meant and that the clarification should clear up the confusion. The government’s final position would be considered by Tarique Rahman after his four-day official visit to Japan, he added.

Regarding Hasina’s possible return, Zahed said the government would not prevent her from coming back. However, she would face legal proceedings and would not be subjected to mob violence or other unlawful treatment.

“If the person we seek returns voluntarily, that is ideal. There would be no need to bring her back by force,” he said, describing Hasina as a convicted person facing a death sentence.

Zahed said there was no official information to support speculation that Hasina might return in December. Such discussions were meaningless without an official announcement or concrete developments, he said. He also questioned the use of the term “former prime minister” for someone who, in his view, had remained in power through force rather than a public mandate.

Zahed also said the government would take action over Monday night’s attack on the central office of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) in Purana Paltan, Dhaka. The attack was reportedly linked to allegations of ties between the CPB and the banned Awami League.

Chhatra Union and Juba Union leaders alleged that local BNP, Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal activists were involved. Responses from the accused parties were not available.

On media reform, Zahed said the BNP government had plans concerning media ownership and the regulatory framework, which would be developed in consultation with relevant stakeholders. He also stressed the need for a more effective Information Commission, saying citizens had the right to obtain information from government offices.

On constitutional reform, he said discussions on possible amendments were continuing beyond the initial deliberations of the Commission on Constitutional Amendment and Consensus. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to democracy and good governance.

Syed Abdal Ahmad, chief information officer at the Press Information Department, and Dr Md Alam Mostafa, joint secretary at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, were present.