IGP’s Remarks Are Unacceptable

Several remarks by Inspector General of Police Ali Hossain Fakir have sparked mixed reactions in society. He cannot evade responsibility for recent failures to ensure public safety and the deterioration of law and order in the country.

After the July uprising, which cost thousands of lives, Bangladesh broke free from 16 years of Awami League fascist and authoritarian rule. Following a free election, the country returned to a democratic path. However, associates of the ousted authoritarian regime are continuing various conspiracies and activities to destabilise the country.

Amid reports of sudden rallies by banned Awami League and Chhatra League activists in different parts of the country, as well as claims that Sheikh Hasina would return to Bangladesh in December, IGP Ali Hossain Fakir recently said that if the government gave permission, those creating terror could be killed in “crossfire”. His remarks were unwelcome and unacceptable.

There is no place in a democratic Bangladesh for police involvement in extrajudicial killings. The IGP’s comments triggered widespread anger on social media. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and BNP Acting Secretary General and Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also criticised his remarks.

Their reactions make it clear that the government is not accepting the police chief’s proposed use of “crossfire” as a solution to law-and-order problems. This position reflects the government’s commitment to democracy and the rule of law.

Law enforcement agencies and intelligence services are responsible for gathering and analysing reliable information about the causes of the deteriorating law-and-order situation, those involved and its possible social and economic consequences. They must then take appropriate action.

The experience, fall and flight of the previous government have demonstrated that peace, stability and security cannot be ensured through excessive use of force, enforced disappearances, killings, crossfire operations and mass arrests.

It is hardly surprising that associates of the ousted authoritarian regime may try to restore the previous situation and normalise the actions of the former government. However, the police chief of a democratically elected government has embarrassed the administration and damaged its image by calling for crossfire operations after failing to maintain law and order.

The IGP may have tried to divert public attention from his force’s failures by making the crossfire remark and stirring controversy, using the isolated activities of the banned Awami League as a pretext. He has failed to take the prudent and forward-looking measures needed to address the deterioration of law and order in different parts of the country, including theft, robbery, snatching, illegal occupation, extortion and mob violence. Instead, his unusual and unwelcome comments have put the government in an embarrassing position.

It is also surprising that, although the IGP’s remarks immediately provoked widespread public reaction, the Home Minister took considerable time to clarify the government’s position. By the time Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Information and Broadcasting, Dr Zahedur Rahman, had expressed their strong objections, the Home Minister’s response appeared to have lost some of its impact.

Nevertheless, their statements confirmed that the government does not support the IGP’s proposal to use crossfire operations to maintain law and order. Law enforcement agencies bear primary responsibility for failures to uphold the rule of law, ensure public safety and control the law-and-order situation. There is no alternative to identifying the facts and implementing appropriate decisions in the right places.

As the saying goes, if there is a demon in the mustard seeds, mustard oil cannot drive it out. The rule of law cannot be established, nor can public confidence in the police be restored, through extrajudicial killings, crossfire operations, enforced disappearances or other killings.

The democratically elected government has rejected the police chief’s overzealous proposal. However, that alone will not solve the problem. There can be no leniency towards police failures to maintain law and order and ensure public safety. The IGP cannot escape responsibility.

Ensuring the rule of law is essential to erasing the scars left by the previous authoritarian rule. According to Ain o Salish Kendra, nearly 3,000 people have been killed in crossfire incidents over the past two decades. Although the practice began with the formation of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in 2004, most of these killings took place during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, allegedly under her instructions.

No one wants a repeat of that situation in the new Bangladesh that emerged from the July uprising. Yet current developments suggest an attempt to serve old wine in a new bottle. Although the political government has changed, there has been no visible transformation within various forces and the bureaucracy.

According to Ain o Salish Kendra, at least 10 people died in police custody between March and September this year. Such incidents point to the possible return of the old situation. The death of even one person in an extrajudicial incident or in police custody is unacceptable. It is necessary to investigate whether the IGP’s remarks were an attempt to legitimise such unwanted deaths.

The IGP’s controversial comments about journalists, in addition to his remarks on crossfire, have also angered media workers and members of the public. These statements have done little to conceal his alleged failures and inability to perform his duties. Instead, his conduct has adversely affected the government’s image.

Ministers and members of parliament are not being spared when their controversial actions come under scrutiny, and some have lost their positions on the Prime Minister’s instructions. The government should not have to bear the consequences of an IGP’s failures and controversial statements.

If the police chief does not resign voluntarily, the Prime Minister may instruct him to step down when she returns to the country. Whatever happens, the government must take more effective and visible measures to ensure public safety, uphold the rule of law and restore stability.