FB rumour-mongers under surveillance: Minister

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Sunday said those who spread rumours on Facebook are now under government surveillance and stern action will be taken against them.

“Most of those who recently spread rumours on Facebook have been arrested and brought under justice. The rumour-mongers must face action.”

The minister was talking to reporters at a dialogue with Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters’ Forum (BSRF) at the mass media centreof the Secretariat.

All must be more careful and responsible while using Facebook so that no rumour in Facebook could create confusion, he said.

Asked about submitting chargesheet in Abrarmurder case, Asaduzzaman said it is taking a bit longer time to submit a flawless chargesheet. However, police received all the information and the chargesheet will be submitted soon, he added.

Asked about launching ePassport, he said it is expected to be rolled out at the end of the year but no date has yet been fixed.

Replying to Foreign Minister’s announcement that e-Passport would be launched on November 28, he said,” We are working on it….we could say about it. But no date has been fixed yet.”

When asked whether the government will take steps against the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president for playing in a casino abroad, Asaduzzaman said,” You see, there’re lakhs of people who play in casino. I saw the video that went viral on Facebook where the BCB chief was seen playing in a casino abroad.”

About the government’s ‘zero-tolerance policy’against drugs, the minister said newly-recruited government officials have to undergo dope test before entry.

Drug addicts will not get government jobs, he said adding that civil surgeons have been informed about the Prime Minister’s directive in this regard.

“We’re trying to control drugs strictly and steps have been taken so that drugs can’t enter the country through borders,” he added.

BSRF president Tapan Biswas and general secretary Shamim Ahmed were present.