Inspector general of police Md Ali Hossain Fakir said on Monday that police would use ‘crossfire’ if the government allowed it as a measure to maintain law and order.

‘Where crossfire is necessary, if the government allows it, we will do it,’ he said.

The IGP made the remarks at a programme in Dhaka’s Chawkbazar marking the launch of a bank’s Islamic banking services.

Before making the remarks, the IGP urged people to allow police to discharge their duties in accordance with the law and the Constitution.

Expressing frustration over criticism of the police, Ali Hossain said that the force faced criticism both for using force and for remaining inactive.

‘If we use batons, you call us fascist police. If we remain silent, you call us weak. You have to provide us with a working environment and empower us,’ he said, addressing journalists.

The IGP said the armed forces were responsible for defending the country and its sovereignty, while maintaining internal peace and order required cooperation between the police and the public.

He urged people not to take the law into their own hands and said both the public and the police must abide by the law and the Constitution.

The police chief also claimed that the police had not violated human rights or used unnecessary force.

Referring to the period following the July uprising, he said police personnel had been afraid to perform their duties on the streets.