Campaign to dispel rumours
The Prime Minister’s Office yesterday issued a set of directives asking government agencies to launch a social awareness campaign against rumours behind the recent mob attacks.
Concerned ministries and offices have been asked to create social resistances involving all the stakeholders, including local communities, to stop the spread of rumours, the PM’s Speech Writer Md Nazrul Islam told a media briefing, reports BSS.
Also yesterday, Inspector General of Police Mohammad Javed Patwary told reporters that none of the victims of the recent spate of mob beatings was a child kidnapper.
A vested quarter is trying to create anarchy by spreading rumours about kidnappers prowling the streets to snatch children, he said.
Eight people were killed and at least 44 others injured in mob beatings in the last one week amid rumours that the authorities would need to make human sacrifices at the Padma bridge construction site.
Meanwhile, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader and Information Minister Hasan Mahmud in separate pro-grammes said the Awami League leaders and activists were asked to launch a campaign against rumours and mob beatings.
The IGP at a press conference at the Police Headquarters said the young man who was caught by locals last week in Netrakona with the severed head of a seven-year-old boy had nothing to do with the Padma bridge.
Evidence suggests that the victim was violated before he was killed. The perpetrators appear to have killed him to avoid being caught, he said.
Rumours of child kidnappings are being shared on social media from home and abroad. Some people are doing this on purpose and others due to their ignorance, Javed said.
At least 103 suspects have been arrested in 31 cases across the country. Besides, 60 Facebook pages, 25 YouTube channels and 10 online portals linked with the rumours have been blocked, he said.
Those who are taking part in mob beatings will be accused of murder, he said.
Some of the arrestees also belong to anti-government political parties, he said.
Police will launch a week-long public awareness programme across the country today against mob beatings and rumours.
AL TO CAMPAIGN
AL lawmakers have been asked by the party to go to their constituencies and campaign against rumours and mob beatings, Obaidul Quader told reporters at his office.
“Rumours have resulted in some very terrifying situations. People have been injured and killed. The government has taken a very strict position. I believe this will come under control soon,” he added.
Information Minister and AL Publicity Secretary Hasan Mahmud said, “All the deaths caused by mob beatings are murders. And the participants in the incidents are criminals. These murderers will be brought to justice.”
SAVAR VICTIM IDENTIFIED
The woman killed by a mob in Savar on Saturday was identified by police as Salma Begum, 40, daughter of Billal Bapiri of Manikganj’s Singair.
She had been living in her father’s home for the last 10 years after her husband Mizanur Rahman of Savar’s Emandipur area married another woman. Her three daughters live with their father.
On Saturday, she left her father’s house early in the morning to visit her daughters in Savar. She had been missing since then.
SUSPECT ON REMAND
A Dhaka court yesterday placed Ibrahim Hridoy, the prime accused in the killing of Taslima Begum Renu by a mob on Saturday, on a five-day remand.
Hridoy, 19, used to sell vegetables in front a school in the capital’s Badda, Additional Police Commissioner Abdul Baten told a press conference.
The suspect also disclosed the names of some other involved with the crime, he said.
Following the murder, Hridoy fled to his village home in Narayanganj.
Nari Sanghati Andolon yesterday issued a statement expressing grave concern over the recent mob beatings.
The absence of a democratic environment and the prevailing culture of impunity increases instability, it said.
Comments