'Internet Could Shut Down on Its Own'

The news of a local Internet Service Provider (ISP) being attacked by top terror David Emon in the Home Minister's own constituency has become the talk of the town. Business leaders and civil society have expressed deep astonishment and anger over the failure to arrest the organized attackers.

During a human chain formed on the pedestrian pavement in front of the National Press Club on Wednesday (July 15) at 11:00 AM, speakers expressed their frustration and warned that if the extortionists and attackers are not arrested within the next 24 hours, "the internet could shut down on its own."

The human chain was organized by the Bangladesh Mobile Phone Consumers Association (BMPCA) to protest against the recent wave of attacks, vandalism, looting, extortion, and forced occupations targeting ISP offices, network infrastructure, and field workers across the country.

Speaking at the human chain, Aminul Hakim, President of the Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB), said, "Even after 24 hours, the terrorists in Chittagong have not been arrested. Under the current circumstances, every investor, officer, and employee is living in panic. If these terrorist extortionists are not arrested within the next 24 hours, the internet might shut down automatically due to our inability to provide uninterrupted service."

Nazmul Karim Bhuiyan, Secretary General of ISPAB, stated, "Our job is not to hit the streets in protest. However, when terrorist extortionists are not arrested despite the Home Minister being from Chittagong, we are forced to stand on the streets to demand our own safety. If action is not taken within 24 hours, we will decide on tougher programs in the future. I urge the government not to compel us to take stricter measures."

Speakers noted that the continuous attacks, vandalism, looting, and extortion against ISPs are not only harming entrepreneurs but are also severely disrupting the daily lives of millions of consumers, including education, healthcare, commerce, freelancing, e-commerce, mobile banking, and government digital services. In this day and age, the internet is not just a commercial service; it is an indispensable infrastructure for the digital economy and civic life.

Mohiuddin Ahmed, President of the organizing body (BMPCA), remarked, "Just as intentionally disrupting internet service is a serious crime, depriving the public of internet connectivity through attacks, vandalism, looting, extortion, or destroying networks must be treated as an equally grave offense."

The human chain presented the following demands to the government:

1. Maximum security must be ensured for internet infrastructure, data centers, fiber optic networks, towers, ISP offices, and related installations.

2. Those involved in the attacks, vandalism, looting, forced occupation, and extortion must be swiftly arrested and given exemplary punishment under existing laws.

3. Disrupting internet service to cause public suffering and harm the digital economy must be treated as a major economic and digital crime, and necessary legal actions must be taken.

4. The security of ISPs must be safeguarded through the coordinated efforts of law enforcement agencies, local administration, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), and relevant authorities.

5. Highest priority must be given to the security of internet infrastructure to keep the digital economy, online education, healthcare, e-commerce, mobile banking, and digital government services seamless.

The speakers strongly urged the government, law enforcement agencies, and all relevant authorities to take immediate, strict, and effective measures against these crimes and ensure exemplary punishment for the culprits. Members of the ISP Rossi Committee and leaders of the BMPCA also addressed the gathering.