Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Monday demanded action against Inspector General of Police Ali Hossain Fakir over his remarks that police would resort to crossfire if the government allowed it.

In a statement, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Advocate Ahsanul Mahbub Zubair condemned the remarks, saying they were contrary to the Constitution and the rule of law.

The IGP made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of Community Islamic, the Islamic banking service of Community Bank Bangladesh PLC, in Dhaka’s Chawkbazar today.

The Jamaat leader said the police were responsible for maintaining law and order and ensuring citizens’ security, adding that they were servants of the people, not their rulers.

He said the police chief’s remarks were unacceptable, particularly amid the country’s deteriorating law and order situation, and warned that they could signal a return to a climate of fear.

Referring to alleged abuses under the previous ousted government, he said people had been subjected to extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in the name of law enforcement operations.

He called on the government to take action over the IGP’s statement.

He also criticised law enforcement agencies for failing to curb violence by BNP activists, extortion and drug-related activities.

He urged police officials and members to take effective steps to ensure public safety and make people’s lives more secure.