Vandalism and pressure to close newspaper offices will not be tolerated: Information Advisor
The government does not support vandalism in any newspaper office or pressure to close newspapers. If such incidents occur in the future, it will not be tolerated, said Nahid Islam, Adviser to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
He said this at a news briefing organized by the Chief Adviser's Press Wing at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital on Monday (November 25) evening.
The Information Adviser said, "For the past few days, we have been seeing a tension with Prothom Alo. The office has been vandalized. Our statement is clear, if any section of the public has any complaint or anger against any media outlet or newspaper, they can express it, but it must be done peacefully."
Nahid Islam said, "Legal action will be taken against those involved in the vandalism. If people have complaints or anger, they can take legal action. We will appeal to the public not to participate in undesirable or anarchic situations."
The adviser urged everyone to refrain from such acts that tarnish the image of Bangladesh. He also said that such incidents will not be tolerated in the future.
Claiming that there is a planned attempt to create instability, the information adviser said, "If there is no big plan, then so many incidents in one day are not a coincidence. We think there are plans from various parties here. Many people do not want the government to successfully carry out administrative activities. The previous fascist government is spreading propaganda in various ways. However, a big change has come in the police.
He said, we are planning to bring about changes in the administration to end the stagnation. We suspect that an attempt is being made to keep us busy with these incidents to thwart those things, to draw the attention of the whole country. We are investigating to find out who is behind this in the country and outside the country.
Nahid further said, there will be an appeal to the people, since we are in a post-coup situation, everyone has revolutionary spirit and excitement, we should use it positively. We should be aware from all sides. Political parties and social organizations have a role here. We expect a responsible place from everyone.
The information adviser described today (Monday) as an eventful day and said that many incidents have happened in one day. Under the banner of non-violent mass uprising in the name of giving loans, ordinary people were brought to Dhaka in buses and microbuses from dawn. People were brought by spreading false propaganda.
Local Government Ministry Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser Shafiqul Alam and Deputy Press Secretary Apurba Jahangir were present at the briefing.