Rights groups call IGP’s crossfire remarks a threat to rule of law, demand his removal

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), rights groups Odhikar, and SAPRAN on Monday strongly condemned Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir’s remarks that police would resort to crossfire if necessary, subject to government approval, warning that the statement risks legitimising extrajudicial killings and undermining the rule of law.

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

The IGP made the remarks at an event in Dhaka on Monday, saying, “If crossfire is necessary, and if the government allows it, we will do it.”

TIB demands explanation, apology and IGP’s removal

TIB described the statement as a dangerous message that presents extrajudicial killings as an acceptable means of controlling crime instead of addressing failures in maintaining law and order and institutional weaknesses. It said the remarks reflected utter disregard for the Constitution and the rule of law.

According to TIB, the remarks send a dangerous message by presenting extrajudicial killings as an acceptable means of crime control, rather than addressing failures in maintaining law and order and institutional weaknesses.

Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of the organisation, questioned whether the police chief was seeking to use crossfire to shield the force’s failure to maintain law and order and whether making extrajudicial killings conditional on government approval amounted to an admission that the police had failed to combat crime through lawful means.

“Presenting crossfire as an alternative cannot resolve institutional weaknesses; rather, it is an example of professional bankruptcy”, he said.

“No government approval can legitimise an extrajudicial killing.”

Recalling past cases, the TIB executive director cited the convictions of police officers in the murder case of ex-army officer Sinha Md Rashed, allegations that crossfire had been used to extort money, torture people and kill them, and the killing of Teknaf municipal councillor Ekramul Haque in a purported gunfight. The latter case raised serious questions following the release of an audio recording by his family and allegations of murder, he said.

He also cited the convictions of former Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) officials in the Narayanganj seven-murder case as another judicially established example of the criminal abuse of power by law enforcement agencies.

“Despite thousands of such experiences, and amid public expectations for police reform and broader state reform, the police chief is once again raising the prospect of crossfire. He must answer the question of what lessons the police have learned from past crimes”, he said.

He warned that such remarks could be interpreted by police personnel at the field level as implicit permission to use unlawful force.

The organisation demanded that the government obtain a formal explanation from the IGP, ensure the withdrawal of his remarks and secure an unconditional public apology. It also called for administrative accountability and the police chief’s removal from office until accountability was ensured.

The organisation demanded that the government obtain a formal explanation from the IGP, ensure the withdrawal of his remarks, secure an unconditional public apology, and hold him accountable administratively.

The organisation has also called for the IGP’s removal from office until accountability is ensured.

SAPRAN calls for police reform, investigations into past killings

Rights group SAPRAN said government authorisation could never legitimise an extrajudicial killing, regardless of allegations of criminal conduct or arguments concerning public safety.

The organisation said all police use of force must comply with the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality and accountability. Citing the United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, it said intentional lethal use of firearms was permissible only when strictly unavoidable to protect life. This narrowly defined exception could not be used to justify extrajudicial killings, it stressed.

SAPRAN cited published reports based on figures compiled by Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), which recorded at least 1,926 people killed in incidents described as crossfire or gunfights during the Awami League government’s uninterrupted tenure from 2009 to 2024.

The organisation said the state had a duty to ensure impartial investigations into such killings, establish responsibility and uphold affected families’ right to truth and justice.

“No initiative to ensure public safety can justify normalising extrajudicial killings or making them acceptable”, it said.

Following the July Uprising, people expected the police to move beyond past repressive practices and become an accountable institution that serves the public and respects human rights, the statement said.

“The IGP’s remarks run counter to these expectations and once again underscore the need for police reform.”

SAPRAN demanded that the IGP retract his remarks and unequivocally clarify the police’s position on extrajudicial killings. It also urged the government and police authorities to publicly commit to preventing such killings, issue clear instructions at every level on the lawful use of force and ensure effective accountability for violations.

Odhikar raises alarm over five alleged extrajudicial killings after BNP assumed power

Odhikar expressed deep concern that the IGP’s remarks could effectively give law enforcement personnel permission to carry out extrajudicial killings.

It demanded that the police chief withdraw his statement and called for fair and impartial investigations into extrajudicial killings committed during the current period, with those responsible brought to justice.

The organisation said widespread extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and torture occurred during Sheikh Hasina’s 15-and-a-half-year rule, with people holding dissenting views, political leaders and activists, and ordinary citizens among those subjected to serious human rights violations.

The organisation said it had documented five extrajudicial killings since the current BNP government took office, adding that the IGP’s remarks had heightened its concerns about the possibility of further violations.