The government may consider any action against Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir over his controversial “crossfire” remarks if deemed necessary, but Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will make that decision after returning from his Japan visit, Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman said on Tuesday.

He made the remarks while responding to questions from journalists at a press briefing on the progress of various government activities.

A journalist asked why the government had taken a softer stance towards the police chief despite public criticism of his remarks, while Ishraque Hossain had faced consequences over his activities even after expressing regret.

In response, Zahed said no decision had been taken yet, noting that the prime minister was currently abroad.

“Suppose the incident happened yesterday. If there is any consideration of taking a different decision regarding an IGP, the prime minister is not in the country. He will consider what to do,” the adviser said.

“Once again, I am saying that the prime minister will decide what action to take regarding the IGP, and this will happen after his important visit,” he added.

On October 26, IGP Md Ali Hossain Fakir said police would resort to crossfire where necessary if the government allowed it.

“If crossfire is necessary and the government allows it, we will do that,” he said at an event in Dhaka.

The police chief said law enforcers faced criticism regardless of how they acted, noting that people branded them “fascist police” when they used batons and called them “weak police” when they remained silent.

“So, you have to give us an environment in which to work. You have to empower us,” he said.

His remarks triggered widespread criticism, with rights groups condemning the statement as a threat to the rule of law and demanding his removal. National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Hasnat Abdullah also called the IGP a “thug” over the remarks and urged the police to remain politically neutral.

At Tuesday’s briefing, another journalist asked whether the IGP should apologise to the nation for his controversial comments.

Referring to a statement issued by Bangladesh Police Headquarters, Zahed said the issue should not be a subject of further extensive discussion, as the police chief had already clarified his position.

“I do not think this should be a matter of much further discussion. Police Headquarters has issued a statement on the issue, explaining his remarks,” he said.

The adviser said the IGP’s comments had been interpreted by some as an indication that he intended to carry out extrajudicial killings, but that the police chief had subsequently clarified that this was not what he meant.

“He has explained why he said it and what he intended to convey. He has made it clear that he did not mean extrajudicial killings,” Zahed said.

He added that the IGP had also addressed concerns over his comments about journalists, which had appeared to generalise about the profession.

“I think this should clear up the confusion. He has not stood by the interpretation of his remarks; rather, he has stepped back from it. As I understand his statement, he intended to convey one thing, but it was miscommunicated,” the adviser said.

Zahed said that when a person holding a responsible position made a statement that was miscommunicated, a clarification could help resolve the issue.

“If he had said nothing after making the remarks, this might have been a matter for discussion today. But he has spoken, and I think the issue has now been clarified,” he added.

In a statement issued earlier, Bangladesh Police Headquarters said the IGP had expressed the police force’s firm commitment to taking effective action against drug dealers, terrorists, extortionists and criminals who posed threats to public safety.

It said he had used the term “crossfire” metaphorically to convey the need for strict law enforcement, not to refer to extrajudicial killings or punishment outside the judicial process.

The statement also addressed the controversy over the IGP’s comments about journalists, saying he had not intended to make a sweeping generalisation about them and that the remark had been made inadvertently.

“Bangladesh Police is committed to protecting the lives and property of the people and upholding the rule of law with professionalism and impartiality while maintaining human rights,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), rights group Odhikar and SAPRAN on Monday strongly condemned the IGP’s remarks, warning that the statement risked legitimising extrajudicial killings and undermining the rule of law.

In separate statements, the organisations said government approval could never make an extrajudicial killing lawful. They stressed that law enforcement agencies must operate within the Constitution and established legal procedures, and demanded the withdrawal of the remarks and measures to prevent further human rights violations.

NCP Chief Organiser for the Southern Region and Cumilla-4 MP Hasnat Abdullah also criticised the police chief on Monday, calling him a “thug” and urging the police to remain politically neutral.

“Like in the fascist era, he is now threatening crossfire. Let us see what action the government takes against him,” Hasnat said at an NCP public outreach programme in Mugda in the capital on Monday afternoon.

He said the remarks were unbecoming of a police force meant to serve the people, comparing the IGP with former police chief Benazir Ahmed and former Detective Branch chief Harun Or Rashid, who served under the Awami League government.

Hasnat warned police against serving the interests of political leaders, saying they were accountable to the people rather than government officials.