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Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will consider whether any action should be taken over Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ali Hossain Fakir’s remarks on “crossfire” after returning to Bangladesh, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Information and Broadcasting Dr Zahed Ur Rahman has said.
He made the remarks while responding to journalists’ questions during a regular government briefing at the Secretariat on Tuesday.
Asked about criticism of the IGP’s comments and what action the government might take, Zahed said the Police Headquarters had already issued a clarification. The IGP had made it clear that his remarks did not carry the meaning attributed to them, he added.
Some people interpreted the IGP’s comments as suggesting extrajudicial killings, but he later clarified his intended meaning, the adviser said.
Zahed also said the IGP had explained his generalised remarks about journalists. Statements made by people holding responsible positions should be clarified when they are misrepresented or misunderstood, he added.
The adviser said the clarification should help remove confusion surrounding the remarks. Had the IGP not explained his position, the issue might have warranted further discussion, he said.
Asked whether the government would take any action, Zahed said the incident had occurred only the previous day and that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was currently abroad. Any decision on the matter would be considered after the prime minister returned home, he added.
Responding to a question about the government’s handling of Ishraque Hossain’s case compared with the IGP’s remarks, Zahed said Ishraque had personally explained the circumstances of his case to journalists. The government was not entering into the debate over whether he had stepped down voluntarily or had been removed, he added.
The adviser reiterated that the prime minister himself would consider the government’s final position on the IGP’s remarks after completing his important overseas visit.
He also said consideration should be given to whether it was appropriate to take a harsher stance against someone who had clarified their remarks and was no longer maintaining the position attributed to them.
The IGP’s recent comments on “crossfire” and journalists sparked criticism, prompting Police Headquarters to issue a clarification.
