Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir has said police will not hesitate to carry out “crossfire” if the government permits it and it is deemed necessary to maintain law and order and control crime.
“When police act strictly, they are labelled ‘fascist police’; when they remain silent, they are called ‘weak police’,” he said.
The IGP, who is also chairman of Community Bank Bangladesh PLC, made the remarks on Monday morning at the formal launch of the bank’s Islamic banking service, Community Islamic, at Shahjahan Imam Tower in Dhaka’s Chawkbazar.
Speaking at the event, titled “The Need for Ethics and Transparency in the Banking Sector”, he spoke about various irregularities in the banking sector and the adverse effects of interest.
He said interest and bribery are strictly forbidden in Islam, adding that genuine Islamic banking must be entirely interest-free and based on partnership, ethical practices and fair business principles.
Criticising past irregularities, bank takeovers and the deception of ordinary customers with promises of high returns, he said laws alone could not ensure accountability without proper supervision and monitoring by Bangladesh Bank.
“Both customers and those responsible for enforcing the rules must uphold ethical standards,” he said.
Urging customers to trust the bank’s current management, he said the irregularities and failures of the past must not be allowed to recur. He also stressed the need for stronger monitoring of mobile financial services (MFS).
Turning to law and order, the IGP warned that attempts to undermine the police would not be tolerated. He said police were pursuing a zero-tolerance policy against the spread of drugs in neighbourhoods.
He added that no leniency was being shown towards police personnel involved in criminal activities.
“We have checks and balances. But if the police are attacked at every turn or efforts are made to render them ineffective, maintaining social order will become difficult,” he said.
The IGP alleged that drugs had spread across neighbourhoods during the previous 17 years and that members of the then ruling party had received regular payments from the drug trade, with some police personnel also involved.
“We are cleaning our own house first. In the past two months, 27 police officers have been sent to jail,” he said.
Responding to criticism over the educational qualifications of police personnel, Fakir questioned the perception that constables did not need to be well educated.
Constables serve people at the grassroots level, he said, arguing that police needed highly educated personnel to deal with people from all walks of life.
Addressing journalists, the IGP accused some members of the media of overlooking drug-related crimes and other criminal activities, alleging that some took money from those involved.
He also rejected allegations of police ineffectiveness and human rights violations, saying the force had not used excessive or unwarranted force.
Recalling the state of the police following the July uprising, he said officers had been afraid to perform their duties on the streets.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, we are working day and night to ensure a peaceful and secure environment and promote the country’s economic development,” he said.