BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Tuesday said the Inspector General of Police’s (IGP) remarks about reinstating crossfire have caused unease within the government.

“We feel deeply saddened that the head of the police force who is part of the government would talk about crossfire. If it was a slip of the tongue, that would be a different matter. But such remarks put the government in an awkward position,” he said.

Rizvi made the remarks while inaugurating a free medical camp in front of the BNP’s central office at Nayapaltan, Dhaka, marking the 48th founding anniversary of Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal.

Rizvi said there are adequate laws to combat terrorism and crime and law enforcement agencies are responsible for enforcing those.

He said the country endured 17 years of what he described as inhumane misrule involving crossfire killings, enforced disappearances, secret killings and bloodshed.

After years of struggle against such practices, the country experienced the July uprising and August 5, followed by the BNP coming to power through a free and fair electoral process, he said.

Rizvi said people across the country expect a humane Bangladesh under Tarique Rahman’s leadership, adding that such remarks from the head of a law enforcement agency are deeply concerning.

Rizvi said Tarique Rahman’s commitment to building a humane Bangladesh was reflected in initiatives such as the Family Card and Farmers’ Card, canal excavation programmes.

He said these initiatives are aimed at making Bangladesh a more liveable country, describing this as a central part of Tarique Rahman’s vision and development plan.

Referring to concerns about rising juvenile delinquency and crime in several areas of Dhaka, he said he believes the police force has many honest and capable officers who can effectively tackle crime if allowed to work.

“If the law is properly enforced without any influence, crime can be eliminated from society,” he said.

Rizvi said extrajudicial methods could never be an effective way to control crime, whether through enforced disappearances or crossfire killings.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir on Monday said police might resort to crossfire if the government allows it and it becomes necessary to maintain law and order and curb crimes.