DHAKA, July 23, 2019 (BSS) – Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal today came up with sterner note of warning against rumour-led lynching or mass beating saying the culprits were destined to face tough punitive actions.
“None will be spared . . . 81 people have been arrested for spreading rumours on social media,” he told a press conference, a day after police headquarters ordered all their units to prevent recurrence of lynching or mass beating.
Talking to newsmen at his office Kamal said six people have so far been killed and 15 wounded in the incident of mass beating across the country being led by rumours or suspicions.
He said the rumour mongers as well as those involved in beating people to death would definitely be exposed to stern punitive actions under quickened trial process.
The minister said the people who were involved in killing of a mother in city’s Badda area on July 20, by now were being interrogated in police custody as they were detected scrutinizing video footages.
“Seven people have already been arrested after checking the video footage on mobile,” Kamal said.
He said the 81 people, have been arrested so far for beating people to death, now await further legal actions as nine cases were filed and 15 general dairies (GD) were registered in this regard.
The minister urged all not to led by roumours of child lifting or any other crimes saying “if you suspect anyone, hand them over to law enforcement agencies or dial 999 for police assistance”.
He said measures were taken to build awareness across the country through educational institutions and imams of mosques while law enforcement agencies were working actively to identify the rumour mongers and those who were spreading rumour through facebook and other social media as well as other electronic devices.
Kamal’s comments came a day after the government issued a handout saying perpetrators of such barbaric acts would be exposed to stern punitive actions. “Such acts (lynching) are serious punishable offence,” the government statement said.
Director general of ansar amd VDP Major General Major General Kazi Sharif Kaikobad, meanwhile, in a media interaction at his office said the para police force were alerted countrywide to act against spresad of roumours or superstitions leading to murder of people.
He said the ansar force would simultaneously be engaged in motivating people against superstitious campaigns such as the successful construction of Padma Bridge needed human skulls.