Md. Nahid Islam, Adviser for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology of the Interim Government, met the top officials of the ICT Division for the first time. Secretary of ICT Division Shamsul Arefin, Executive Director of Bangladesh Computer Council Ranjit Kumar, Director General of ICT Directorate Md. Mostafa Kamal and others were present in the meeting. After the meeting on Monday, he faced the journalists.
In response to a question, he said that an investigation is underway on those involved in the internet shutdown. Hundreds of people have been killed after shutting down the internet. Of course, those involved in this process will be brought to justice. In this case, legal action will be taken against all involved including former state minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak. They will be prosecuted for violation of civil rights.
Nahid said, if a detailed investigation is required again, it will be done. In this case, government, minister or any other agency people are involved, they must be prosecuted. It is a matter of human rights to ensure free flow of information and internet. Those who shut down internet, committed human rights violations and hundreds of people were killed in the shutdown. Of course, those involved in this process will be prosecuted.
He also said that the preliminary investigation report on the internet blackout will be available today. If further investigation is required then we will do that too. If government people, ministers or people of any other organization are involved in this process, they will also be punished. Guaranteeing free access to information flow and access to the Internet is a human right. They have violated human rights by stopping it.
At the same time, in response to the question regarding cancellation of investments of start-up companies involved in the anti-discrimination movement, the advisor also said that they will soon return their rights and cancel the controversial section of the Cyber Security Act and take strict action to investigate the corruption of the ministry.
When asked whether investment will be started again in Ten Minute School or not, he said that if anyone has been deprived due to being in favor of the movement, justice will be done to them and joint work will be done with them.
He said that legal action will be taken against those involved in internet shutdown.
He said that various startups—which took a stand for the students—were treated hostilely during the agitation. Their investment was stopped at that time and this was done very autocratically. We have condemned this matter. They will be contacted soon and the process of working with them again will be initiated.
We are talking about overall structural reforms; Mentioning that this should be done in all the ministries, Nahid said, we are thinking from the government’s place that Bangladeshi youth who are studying abroad have acquired skills. By bringing them back to the country, to involve them in the process of nation building.
