IGP defends police over 'gunfights'

The inspector general of police yesterday defended the incidents of "gunfights" involving law enforcers, a day after an Awami League lawmaker hit out at Rab over the killing of Hazaribagh Chhatra League President Arzu Miah in "crossfire".

"In many cases, gunfight takes place when police face life-threatening risks while taking legal actions," AKM Shahidul Hoque told reporters after a training session at Police Staff College in the city.

"When anyone is killed in a gunfight, it too falls within the purview of a legal process," he said.      

The police boss claimed that they also have to face executive inquiry for deaths in such incidents.

He, however, on behalf of law enforcement agencies and the government, vowed to continue all sorts of efforts to improve law and order, and ensure people's safety.

Bangladesh Police in association with Interpol arranged the training session titled "Intelligence Analysis for Tiger Range Countries" which was participated by 20 representatives from 10 countries, including India, Bhutan and Indonesia.

On Saturday, at a prayer for Arzu, who was killed in a "gunbattle" with Rab on August 18, AL lawmaker Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, said, "We will not tolerate killings of our leaders and activists in the name of so-called gunfights and those responsible for the killings will be brought to book."

He said Rab could not avoid the responsibility for the murder of Arzu.

Taposh had also come down heavily on Rab soon after Arzu's killing. He alleged that the elite force killed the BCL leader without any trial.

In the last few days, at least four leaders and activists of the AL and its associate bodies died in "shootouts" with police and Rab.

Although panic has reportedly gripped many ruling party men following such killings, Taposh, also nephew of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is the first to speak out over extra judicial killings incidents and to point fingers at law enforcement agencies.

Replying to a query about the killing of the BCL leader in "crossfire", the IGP yesterday said, "The criminals do not belong to any party. They go for their personal interests taking political shelters, and also under the protection of influential quarters."

"If they [criminals] pose threat to public safety, we have zero tolerance towards them," he warned.