Viber may go offline to nab cyber frauds
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said her government is thinking of stopping Viber and WhatsApp operations for a few days with intent to arrest criminals engaged in cyber crime.
“We’re providing digital facilities to people for their convenience, not for doing bad things. The government will trace cyber criminals. If need be, we’ll stop functioning Viber and WhatsApp for a few days to arrest criminals who are engaged in crimes through using these digital facilities.”
The premier made the remarks while replying to a supplementary query from independent lawmaker Hazi Mohammad Selim in parliament.
Viber and WhatsApp are applications that allow a smartphone user to make phone calls and send text messages to all other users of the software for free.
Hasina said activists of various dark forces are conducting cyber crime one after the other and those already collared by lawmen are the rank and file of the BNP-Jamaat bloc.
“Roots of cyber criminals lie in the BNP-Jamaat axis. They’re conducting crimes one after another. We won’t tolerate acts of terrorism and steps will be taken to identify the criminals.”
The state authorities will do everything in its power and take all necessary steps to maintain peace in the country, the PM mentioned.
Replying to another supplementary query from treasury-bench lawmaker Kamal Ahmed Majumder, Hasina said stern action will be taken to fight militancy. She called on the judges to be strict in granting bail to militants so that they cannot commit further offences being out on bail.
“Law-enforcers spend huge money and give effort for months to arrest militants. But in many cases, they somehow get bail within 15 days. While they are out on bail, they re-engage in crime.”
Hasina said the judiciary is able to grant bail as it is independent, adding: “I’d like to call the judges to consider the extent of crime of the militants while granting them bail. If judges consider the matter, it will be convenient for ensuring country’s security,” she said.
She also asked the lawyers to be cautious about dealing the cases of militants and appealing for bail in their favour.
