Bangladesh's interim govt warns media against publishing statements of 'fugitive' Hasina
Dhaka (PTI): Bangladesh's interim government has warned all print, electronic and online media outlets to refrain from reporting statements issued by "convicted and fugitive" deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, citing concerns over national security and public order.
The National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) in a press release issued on Monday claimed that Hasina's statements may contain directives or calls capable of inciting “violence, disorder and criminal activities” and disrupting social harmony, The Daily Star newspaper reported.
“We urge the media to act responsibly in the interest of national security,” the release said.
The agency said it was “deeply concerned” that some media organisations were broadcasting and publishing remarks attributed to "convicted" and "fugitive" Hasina.
Noting that airing or publishing statements from individuals who are both convicted and fugitive violates provisions of the Cyber Security Ordinance, the agency warned that authorities are empowered to "remove or block content that threatens national integrity, security or public order, promotes ethnic or religious hatred, or directly incites violence".
It further said that using a false identity or illegally accessing systems to spread hate speech, ethnic incitement or calls for violence is a punishable offence, and provides for penalties of up to two years of imprisonment and/or fines of up to Tk 10 lakh.
Emphasising that it respects freedom of the press and expression, the NCSA urged media houses to "avoid" carrying any "violent, instigating or criminally provocative" statements from convicted individuals and to "remain mindful of their legal obligations".
Hasina, 78, was on Monday sentenced to death in absentia by Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) for "crimes against humanity" over her government's brutal crackdown on student-led protests last year.
It also handed the death sentence to former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on similar charges.
Hasina has been living in India since she fled Bangladesh on August 5 last year in the face of the massive protests. She was earlier declared a fugitive by the court.
Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has hailed the verdict, saying the ruling affirmed a fundamental principle, "no one, regardless of power, is above the law".
Commenting on the verdict, Hasina denied the charges as "biased and politically motivated" and said the judgment has been made by a "rigged tribunal" established and presided over by an "unelected government with no democratic mandate".
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Mangaluru: Teacher booked for allegedly beating student in school
Vittla (Dakshina Kannada): A case has been registered at the Vittla Police Station against a school teacher on charges of seriously assaulting a student with a cane at an English-medium school in Idkidu village here near Vittla in Dakshina Kannada district.
According to the complaint, the student, who attends the school regularly, had gone to school as usual. Around 2 pm, the child’s parents received a call from the school office stating that their child had allegedly disturbed other students. The school informed them that when the teacher scolded the student over the issue, the child became frightened and urinated, and the parents were asked to come and take the child home.
The parents reportedly told the school staff that no one was at home at the time and requested that the child be sent home in an autorickshaw.
After returning home, the student told the parents that a teacher identified as Istikaar had beaten him severely on the hand with a cane. The child also said that he urinated out of fear while the assault was taking place.
When the parents contacted the teacher over the phone to question him about the incident, he allegedly responded in a dismissive manner.
Following this, the parents lodged complaints with the Vittla Police Station and the Child Development Project Office, seeking justice and strict action against the teacher for allegedly assaulting the child without any valid reason.
Police have registered a case against the teacher and have taken up further investigation.
