ASK expresses concern over Chittagong Police Commissioner’s ‘brushfire order’

Staff Correspondent

While tension is prevailing across the country over the ‘Dhaka Lockdown’ program announced by the Awami League, concerns have been raised in Chittagong over the increased activity of law enforcement agencies and the police commissioner’s ‘brushfire order’.

The Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) has imposed strict security in Chittagong city since Wednesday morning in view of the suspended Awami League program. Searches are being conducted at every intersection in the city, and patrols have also increased several times. Pedestrians are also being questioned. At this time, submachine guns (SMGs) were also seen in the hands of constable-level members.

CMP officials said that usually only members of the Naik and ASI (Armed) ranks carry these weapons. However, in a radio message on Tuesday afternoon, CMP Commissioner Hasib Aziz ordered patrol and police stations to “brush fire with SMGs on sight of armed terrorists.”

Human rights organization Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK) has expressed deep concern over the commissioner’s order. In a statement, the organization said that such orders directly encourage extrajudicial killings – which are against the constitution, the rule of law, and international human rights standards.

A statement signed by ASK senior coordinator Abu Ahmed Faizul Kabir said, “Articles 31 and 32 of the Bangladesh Constitution guarantee the right to life and protection of the law for citizens. Orders to kill or shoot even suspected criminals without legal process are in no way acceptable.”

The organization further said, “The government must immediately take appropriate action regarding such statements. At the same time, responsible members of the law enforcement agencies must send an appropriate message about human rights and fulfilling their constitutional responsibilities. Extrajudicial killings or orders to shoot are in no way consistent with the state’s policies and legal framework.”

According to Ask, “This statement by the Chittagong Police Commissioner is contrary to responsible administrative behavior and challenges the fundamental principles of justice and human rights. If this order is not withdrawn immediately, the risk of loss of life and extrajudicial killings in the future will increase, which is unacceptable for a democratic state and the rule of law.”

In this regard, CMP Commissioner Haseeb Aziz later explained, “The order to use brushfire on sight is not for the general public. We will not use SMG on those who do not have weapons. It has been given for terrorists and armed men.”

Chittagong Metropolitan Police Public Relations Officer Aminur Rashid said, “Police members are using only the weapons they are authorized to carry – such as SMGs, pistols, shotguns or sawed-off rifles. There is no order to use automatic weapons on a mass scale.”

However, according to legal and human rights analysts, the sighting of heavy weapons in the hands of the lowest-ranking members of the police and such an order from a commissioner-level officer has created public concern – which is also raising questions about the administration’s behavior and accountability.