Sagar Biswas :
The critics, who seem very unhappy over the role of law enforcers, would be brought under close surveillance of security agencies to find out whether they have any connection with militancy.
“Some people raise questions over working process of police in the television talk shows. I humbly say that, as a servant of the republic, our constitutional and legal responsibilities are to provide security to the people. It is also our duty to take legal step against them, who create obstacles to discharge the said duties,” said Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Asauzzamn Mia.
He was talking to newsmen at the DMP Headquarters in the city on Sunday. If they [critics] are dissatisfied with police activities, than they are ‘patrons of militancy and terrorism’, the DMP chief said.
“Their possible link with recent militant activities is now under scanner of the law enforcement agencies… The militancy is being spread due to partial analyzing of Holy Quran,” he said. He said: “An international media-link has been created relating to the militancy. The SITE Intelligence runs news whenever there is any occurrence by the militants. It’s part of an international plot. In this criterion, the Gulshan attack was also an international plot. We’ve started close monitoring to stop further occurrence of Gulshan like incident.”
The DMP Commissioner alleged that a vested quarter is spreading rumour to create panic across the city. They spread rumours saying that there will be further attack within 48 hours, or the present government will be collapsed… I urge the people, not to pay heed to the rumours. We know, which is intelligence information and which is rumour.”
Meanwhile, the government and private television channels have been directed not to telecast live episode of militant attack, natural disaster and even rescue operation of any accident.
Official sources said that the Ministry of Information has sent letters to 26 television channels, including BTV, pointing the issue on July 19. The letters, signed by senior Assistant Secretary Akhteruzzaman Talukdar, said: “If the television channels conduct live telecast, it hampers the rescue operation in natural disaster or accident and crackdown operation against any militant group.”
In this backdrop, the ministry asked the television channels not to telecast the incidents anymore.
Secretary to the Information Ministry Martuza Ahmed told The New Nation last night, “We’ve sent letters to the television channels not to live telecast such incidents anymore. The directive was in effect since its issuance.”
When asked whether the government will take any step against the television channels those continued live telecast on Gulshan militant attack, the secretary said the decision is yet to be taken.
The high-ups of the government, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, expressed severe annoyance over the role of some private television channels for broadcasting the security forces’ action live from Gulshan when Spanish restaurant Holey Artisan Bakery came under militant attack on July 1.
“Such types of live broadcast hamper operation of law enforcers against militants and terrorists. Besides, the rescue operations during natural disasters and calamities are also hampered for the same. So, the government has made the request,” Information Minister Hasanul Huq Inu said.
