Staff Reporter

State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak revealed that over 1 lakh of outsiders along with 1,00,000 SIM cards entered into Dhaka before the recent violence related to the quota reform movement.

He noted that on July 18, one lakh new SIMs were activated in Dhaka’s mobile network just before the attacks across the capital.

These new SIM users had arrived in Dhaka from various locations. The destruction occurred from 3 pm to 9 pm that day, targeting key government buildings including Setu Bhaban, BTV, Metrorail stations, and the Disaster Management Department Building, he said.

Palak made these statements while speaking as the chief guest at the “Tree for Peace” ceremony, that began planting one lakh saplings nationwide to mark the birthday of Prime Minister’s ICT Advisor Sajib Wazed Joy, held at Dak Bhaban in Agargaon, Dhaka, on Saturday (July 27).

He further said that government buildings and vehicles were selectively vandalised, and attacks were directed at government officials, police forces, and journalists.

Addressing concerns about internet access, Palak clarified that the government has not halted internet services. The issue with broadband services arose due to damage to transmission lines, but misinformation about the situation is being spread internationally.

Palak also announced that a meeting with mobile operators is scheduled for Sunday at 9 am. If the meeting proceeds as planned, the 4G mobile network will be reinstated by Sunday or Monday.

The event was presided over by Directorate General of Posts Tarun Kanti Sikder, with Information Technology Secretary Md. Samsul Arefin, Post and Telecommunication Secretary Dr. Mushfiqur Rahman, and BTRC Chairman Engineer Mohiuddin Ahmed also in attendance.