Zero tolerance on crossfire: Home Minister
Home Minister Mr. Salahuddin Ahmed has directly rejected the remark of IGP Mr. Ali Hossain Fakir on “crossfire.” He said, “The government does not want crossfire. In fact, the government has zero tolerance on crossfire.” He said the IGP spoke carelessly and added, “This was not right, it should not have been said.”
The day before yesterday at an event in Chawkbazar in Old Dhaka, IGP Mr. Ali Hossain Fakir said that if the government gives permission, “crossfire” will be carried out when needed. He said that when police use force, one side calls the police fascist, and when police stay inactive, they are called weak. He said police must be given a proper environment to do their duty to maintain law and order.
When his attention was drawn to this, the Home Minister told reporters yesterday evening, “He (the IGP) is a simple man. While speaking about strict use of the law, he said it carelessly. This was not right, it should not have been said.”
The Home Minister said firmly that the government does not want crossfire and has zero tolerance on it. He said the government will not allow extrajudicial killings and is very strict on this. He said it will not tolerate extrajudicial killings or custodial deaths. He said the rule of law is the main goal of the government and improving law and order is its main priority. He said no death in crossfire or in custody has happened so far. But he said the government will do whatever is needed to control crime and ensure proper action under the law.
