IGP’s ‘crossfire’ remarks embarrass government: Rizvi

BNP acting secretary general and the prime minister’s political adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has described Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir’s statement that “crossfire will be used if necessary with government permission” as embarrassing for the government. He said the police chief’s remarks during the tenure of a BNP government had concerned the party, which had long fought against enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.

He made the comments on Tuesday (27 October) afternoon while inaugurating a free medical service programme outside the BNP’s central office in the capital’s Nayapaltan. The programme marked the 48th founding anniversary of Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal.

Noting that the police chief was part of the government, Rizvi questioned how he could speak of crossfire. He added, however, that it would be a different matter if the remarks had been unintentional.

Rizvi said the BNP had fought against enforced disappearances, crossfire and extrajudicial killings for the past 17 years. He said the party had come to power through an election following that struggle and the July uprising. With Tarique Rahman becoming prime minister, people were expecting a humane Bangladesh, he said, adding that the IGP’s remarks at such a time had given them cause for concern.

The BNP acting secretary general stressed the need to properly enforce existing laws to control crime. He said the country had sufficient laws to curb terrorism and crime, and that enforcing them without interference could bring crime under control.

Calling for honest and competent police officers to be put to work, Rizvi said enforced disappearances or crossfire could not be acceptable methods of crime control. He also expressed concern over juvenile crime trends and incidents of crime in several areas of the capital.

Rizvi urged those holding responsible positions in various state institutions to exercise caution in their words and actions. Statements intended to score cheap points could harm the country, he said.

Earlier, at an event in Chawkbazar in Old Dhaka on Monday (26 October), IGP Ali Hossain Fakir said crossfire would be used if necessary with government permission. Various political parties and human rights organisations subsequently criticised the remarks.

Amid the criticism, Police Headquarters issued a clarification on Monday evening, saying the IGP had not used the word “crossfire” to mean extrajudicial killings or punishment outside the judicial process. It claimed he had used the term to convey a tough stance on enforcing the law against criminals.