STAFF CORRESPONDENT:

The Cyber Crime Unit of police has identified over 1,000 facebook IDs, which are engaged in spreading propaganda and rumors against the government, prominent people and institutions by fake and attacking posts.

Meanwhile, details of the fb users have been sent to the securities department of airports and other law enforcement agencies in which they cannot flee the country. Similarly, instructions have been given to arrest them, if they try to enter into the country from outside through the airports. Some 44 people have already been arrested by the law enforcers in 35 cases filed in connection with the issues. Latest, a case was filed against two leaders of Islami Chhatra Shibir for spreading anti-government remarks through social media fb.

They have been identified as Nausin Mostary Mian Saheb, former Financial Secretary (Baitul Mal) of Islami Chhatra Shibir, Dhaka College unit and Sayem Ahmed, Organizing Secretary of Islami Chhatra Shibir, South Surma thana unit in Sylhet. Imran Ali, an Awami League leader filed the case with Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (Cyber Crime) Unit of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on December 22 against them. Nazmul Islam, Additional Deputy Police Commissioner of Cyber Crime Unit said, “Investigation is underway in this regard. The culprits will be brought to book within short time by tracing their location.”

“People have freedom of speech. But, none has right to spread false propaganda or rumor against the government, any prominent people or institution with a view to tarnish his or her image and good will. If anyone does so, drastic action would be taken.”

According to the case statement, the two accused using fb ID (https://www.facebook.com/msaheb.mohon (Numeric ID 100005185124462) and https://www.facebook.com/sayem.ahmed (Numeric ID 100000532825590) have been spreading various propaganda and rumors against the government and prominent people that tarnished their images.

Besides, they have been giving various posts on fb in a bid to tarnish the images of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Ministers, Secretaries, Judicial Department, Army, RAB, and police personnel. The accused are also spreading confusing information criticizing various development activities of the Awami League government. Even, they are spreading misleading data about Army, Police and RAB forces.

Earlier, the AL leader filed a general dairy (GD) with Rampura police station on December 8 against the Shibir leaders. Though, the duos were alerted over the issue, they have been continued their negative activities via fb.

Imran Ali also submitted a written complaint to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and DMP Commissioner on December 14. The complaint was accepted as a regular case by the Cyber Crime Unit on December 22.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said, “No propagandist would be spared. They will have to face trial. The law enforcers are working hard to identify and nab them.”

“The number of such propagandists has been increased alarmingly due to easy access in social media through online or internet. This is why, a monitoring cell has been formulated to bring them under scanner,” he added.