Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged everyone to refrain from spreading rumours on social media, saying that she had not built a digital Bangladesh for the spreading of lies, reports bdnews24.com.
The prime minister made the remarks during the foundation laying ceremony for the new underpass to be built on Dhaka’s Airport Road near Shaheed Ramiz Uddin Cantonment College.
Students held a week-long demonstration, shutting down streets in the capital, after two students from the Kurmitola college were killed in a bus accident on Jul 29.
Though the protest started peacefully, it eventually culminated in to clashes between police and supporters of the ruling party and protesters. Rumours spread on social media have been blamed for instigating the violence.
During the inaugural event for the underpass construction project the prime minister addressed the students and guardians of the college and the rest of the nation.
“Do not listen to rumours,” she said. “Digital Bangladesh has been built for our proper education. Not for spreading indecent words, false information and gossip. We must refrain from such things.”
“Us Bangalees are an excitable people. I will say one thing … social media. I built a digital Bangladesh. Now everyone has a mobile phone. We now have modern 4G technology. We can go on Facebook, on YouTube, we have built this.”
“This technology is used to spread false information, rumours, attempts to create disorder. Even older people, some of whom I have presented awards to myself, are spreading this gossip. This cannot be tolerated, whoever they may be. Do not believe rumours too easily.”
The prime minister also said that she would take a firm stance on those responsible for the deaths of the two Ramiz Uddin College students.
“It is unforgivable. The way the driver was driving recklessly and defying the law … he drove over the students. Some of them are still injured.”
“We will not forgive them. I will ensure that those involved in this accident will receive justice.”
On Jul 29 two students from the college, Diya Khanam Mim and Abdul Karim Rajib, were run over and killed by a Jabale Noor Paribahan bus on Dhaka’s Airport Road.
In response, students launched a nationwide protest calling for road safety.
The students made nine demands as they took to the streets, checking driver’s licences and vehicle documents in place of police.
Though the protests started peacefully, there were eventually clashes between police, alleged activists for the ruling Awami League and the protesters. The government says these clashes were triggered by rumours.
The government announced that it would accept the students’ demands and the cabinet gave its long-delayed approval to a new road transport law.
Hasina has donated five buses to the college for transporting students. The government has also given Tk 2.0 million in compensation to the families of the dead students.