Desk Report: Khelafat Majlis has strongly condemned and expressed deep concern over Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir’s reported remark that police would resort to crossfire, if necessary, to maintain law and order with government permission.

The party said there was no legal or constitutional legitimacy for extrajudicial killings in Bangladesh, adding that threats of crossfire or incitement to mob justice had no place in a civilised society.

In a statement issued on Monday (October 26), Khelafat Majlis Ameer Maulana Abdul Basit Azad and Secretary General Dr Ahmad Abdul Kader expressed their reaction to the reported remarks.

They said every citizen has the right to defend themselves against allegations and receive justice through established judicial procedures under the country`s laws and Constitution. No individual can be subjected to extrajudicial killing simply because they have been accused of a crime, they added.

Referring to Articles 31 and 32 of the Constitution, the party leaders said the right to protection of the law, life and personal liberty were fundamental rights guaranteed to every citizen.

They maintained that no executive decision or government permission could cancel or suspend these constitutional rights. Administrative approval by the government could not provide legal justification for extrajudicial killings, they said.

The leaders demanded the immediate withdrawal of the IGP`s reported remarks and called on the government to ensure administrative accountability in this regard.

They said maintaining law and order required professional investigations, proper identification of suspects and prosecution before courts based on evidence. Upholding the rule of law and public confidence in the judicial system was essential to combating crime, they added.

The statement also acknowledged that delays in the judicial process, abuse of power, corruption and nepotism could obstruct the delivery of justice. However, such shortcomings could not justify taking the law into one`s own hands in the name of crossfire or encouraging mob justice, the leaders said.

They warned that threats of extrajudicial action in the name of maintaining law and order could raise serious concerns about the rule of law and the protection of citizens` rights.

According to Khelafat Majlis, the state has a responsibility to ensure public safety and bring offenders to justice. Fulfilling that responsibility while respecting the Constitution, human rights and the rule of law is essential to a civilised and democratic society, the statement added.