Sabotage may have link with fire incidents: Hasan

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said the issue of sabotage is becoming visible after the BM Depot blast incident in Sitakunda and later fire in several trains in different parts of the country.

“From the very beginning of the BM Depot fire incident, I’ve been telling that it is needed to see whether there was any sabotage and the issue is becoming clear gradually. You know that a fire was originated from a toilet in a train in Sylhet while another fire incident was occurred in a Khulna-bound train when it was stand still,” he said.

The minister added: “Primarily it has been apprehended that those are related with sabotage. In fact, I personally think that those incidents are being carried out to create fear and tension and to mire the prevailing joy and enthusiasm ahead of the inauguration of the Padma Bridge across the country.” 

Hasan stated these while replying to a query at the meeting room of his ministry at Secretariat in the capital. 

He said the persons, who were involved in the arson attack, killed people by petrol bombs and carried out rumours, are involved in those incidents. Investigations are going on and it will be cleared through investigations, he added. 

Replying to another query over Begum Khaleda Zia’s health issue, the minister prayed for early recovery of Begum Zia. 

But, he said, BNP leaders don’t want Begum Zia to be recovered as they get opportunity to do politics. Earlier, Begum Zia was recovered by the treatment of country’s doctors and this time also she will be recovered, he added. 

Earlier, Association of Television Channel Owners (ATCO) vice president Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury handed over a memorandum containing six demands. 

Additional secretary of the ministry Khadiza Begum was present.

The demands are stopping streaming videos on online versions of newspapers, stopping airing news in IP TV, fully implementation of clean feed, beginning the TRP service, digitalization of the cable network and imposing special tax on ad farms which make ad by foreign models. 

Iqbal said the ATCO drew attention of the ministry on airing digital contents by newspapers’ online versions and news portals which is the violation of newspaper declaration act. Even, these are against of broadcasting act, he added.

He said the ‘Sampadak Parishad’ gave a statement two days ago, but the explanation is not true. Newspaper declaration is given to publish newspaper, he said, adding there is no mention of uploading digital content in the declaration, he added

He hoped that the ministry would take actions against these.

Hasan said earlier ATCO informed the issue verbally and today they informed it in written. “We've looked into the act. According to the online media policy act, they cannot air such items," he added.