Repeal Digital Security Act: BNP

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday alleged that the Digital Security Act is being misused rampantly during the crisis period of coronavirus outbreak across the country.

"BNP wants to say very clearly that the government is misusing the digital security act to protect itself from people's wrath. Such unjustified act of the state must be stopped right now," Fakhrul said.

He came up with the allegation while addressing a press conference held at the party Chairperson Khaleda Zia's Gulshan office in Dhaka.

Terming the digital security act "anti-people", Fakhrul called upon the authorities concerned to repeal the act and stop the ongoing harassment including arrests under the law during the coronavirus pandemic.

He also expressed his party's condemnation regarding the recent arrests of some people including journalists, a cartoonist, a writer and others under the digital security act.

Citing the arrests, Fakhrul said the government is engaged in using the act to torture and harass people deliberately.

The government blatantly misused the law by arresting photojournalist Shafiqul Islam Kajol on World Press Freedom Day, the BNP leader said.

FAKHRUL ASKS FB TO CLOSE FAKE ACCOUNTS

Meanwhile, Mirza Fakhrul wrote to Facebook authorities yesterday, to take steps for blocking fake accounts and stopping false campaign in his name on the social media platform.

He also said a vested quarter has long been circulating false statements in his name opening fake accounts, adding that he never opened any Facebook account in his name.