Contradictory remarks by home minister and IGP over crossfire prove lack of coordination, says Maruf

The contradictory remarks by the home minister and the inspector general of police (IGP) prove that there is no effective coordination between the government and the law enforcement forces and that the force is not under the government's control, said Sheikh Fazlul Karim Maruf, assistant secretary general of Islami Andolan Bangladesh and president of its Dhaka Metropolitan South unit.

He made the remarks on Friday (October 30) while delivering the president's speech at the regular monthly meeting of Islami Andolan Bangladesh's Dhaka Metropolitan South branch.

Maruf said people are living in panic amid an extreme deterioration of the country's law and order situation.

He said IGP Md Ali Hossain Fakir recently said at an event that where crossfire is needed, they would do that if the government permits it.

Later, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed directly rejected that statement, saying the government does not want crossfire and that the government's position on the matter is zero tolerance. According to Maruf, the contradictory remarks by the two responsible officials themselves prove the lack of coordination.

Drawing on the issue, Maruf said the home minister has also previously made arbitrary remarks about the law and order situation. Such careless remarks from an important responsible position are breaking down the state's security structure, he said.

He demanded the prime minister's direct intervention and initiative to ensure effective coordination between the law enforcement forces and the administration.

At the meeting, K M Shariatullah, secretary of the organisation's Dhaka Metropolitan South unit and chief coordinator of its central media cell, said the current government, before coming to power, had promised to implement the reform commission formed by the interim government at state expense, but nine months have passed and that has not been seen.

Shariatullah said the people will not accept this indifference and procrastination by the government. If the verdict of the referendum is not implemented, the people themselves will give the answer in time, he said.