Take strict action against rumour-mongers: IGP

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Javed Patwary ordered the police stations across the country to take strict action against people spreading any kind of rumours.

“Law enforcers have already started alerting people about rumours through miking and leaflets,” said the IGP during a press briefing at the Police Headquarters in the city on Wednesday.

He said community police will observe a rumour prevention week from Thursday, to create awareness among people across the country about false news spreading through internet and other media.

“Ten online portals, 60 Facebook pages and 25 YouTube channels have been blocked to prevent hoaxes,” the IGP added.

As part of the programme, yard meetings will be held at every district, upazila and metropolitan area.  

Police members will go to schools, colleges and madrasas. They will exchange views with teachers, students, guardians, people’s representatives. 

Imams have been asked to make anti-rumour sermons during the Jumma prayers next Friday, the IGP said.

After failing to destabilise the country through different conspiracies and movements, a vested-quarter are now spreading these rumours, IGP Javed added.  

Many people are spreading these on social media either consciously or without understanding the consequences. 

Incidents of lynching have become rampant in recent days after a hoax that human heads are needed for the Padma Bridge construction spread through the social media.

At least eight people have been killed in mob-beating in the last five days.

So far 103 people have been arrested in 31 cases across the country in connection with lynching.

Javed Patwary said the first Facebook post involving Padma Bridge was uploaded from Dubai. 

A person living there gave the post. But police could not identify the person.  

However, the IP number from which the post was uploaded, has been identified. The person will be identified anytime and he will be brought to book. 

The IGP said none of those who are involved in the incidents of mob beating will be spared.  They will be identified and each of them will be brought under law. 

Javed Patwary said, “We cannot control internet and social media. The vested quarters have been taking advantage of this and trying to create instability in the country.”

“You have seen before how largescale sabotage was carried out throughout the country by spreading a rumour that Sayeedi’s face was sighted on the moon.”

Ordinary people share such posts without understanding anything. If a negative issue hits the social media, it spreads quickly.

Addressing students of schools and colleges, the police chief said, “Don’t heed to rumours.  If you feel it’s necessary, go to the Padma Bridge and see for yourselves. Several thousand people, including educated engineers, have been working there.” 

“If you find anything suspicious, dial 999 on your mobile phone and inform the police.  Police will come to you to solve the problem immediately,” he added.

Asked whether there was a connection between recent rumours and recovery of bomb-like substance at separate areas in the capital, the IGP said the bomb disposal unit of police have started working on it after recovery of the bomb-like substance.  

Forensic and DNA test of the substance will be done.  

Primarily, it seemed that some militant outfits have done this to spread panic”.

Javed Patwary said journalists will be informed about it in detail on completion of the investigation.