BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has criticised Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir over his remarks suggesting that police could resort to “crossfire” if the government gave permission, saying the comments would harm the country and leave the government embarrassed and intimidated.

The controversy arose after the IGP made the remarks at an event organised to inaugurate the Islamic banking services of Community Bank Bangladesh in Dhaka’s Chawkbazar on Monday.

The police chief said law enforcers were often criticised as fascist when they used force and branded weak when they remained inactive.

He also said police would resort to crossfire if necessary and if the government authorised it.

The remarks triggered widespread criticism from political parties, rights organisations and journalist bodies, with several groups demanding that the IGP withdraw his comments, issue an unconditional public apology and be held accountable.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) condemned the statement, arguing that government approval could not legitimise extrajudicial killings.

It called for a formal explanation, withdrawal of the remarks and administrative accountability, including the IGP’s removal until accountability was ensured.

Other rights organisations also expressed concern that the remarks could undermine the rule of law and constitutional guarantees of the right to life and personal liberty.

Meanwhile, Police Headquarters issued a clarification, saying the IGP had used the term “crossfire” to refer to strict law enforcement and had not intended to endorse extrajudicial killings or punishment outside the judicial process.

It also said his comments about journalists were inadvertent and were not intended as a sweeping criticism of the media.