Dhaka, Oct. 26 -- Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ali Hossain Fakir has said police will resort to crossfire where needed if the government gives the go-ahead.

Law enforcers would act according to the law and Constitution, regardless of who came or when "Apa" [Sheikh Hasina] returned, he said at a banking system launch in Dhaka's Chawkbazar on Monday.

Hitting back at criticism, he said police are branded "fascist" when they wield batons and weak when they stay silent.

Officers must be given room to work, he said, as there is "no substitute for police" if people want to live in peace.

The Bangladesh Army will defend the country and its sovereignty, but internal order, prosperity and economic growth need a collective effort, according...