Police warn against misinformation targeting officers, key state officials

Highlights

• Police allege systematic misinformation campaign against officials
• Authorities warn against sharing provocative social media posts
• Alleged misinformation could destabilise law and order
• Legal action threatened over continued misinformation

Bangladesh Police has urged the public not to believe or share what it described as false, fabricated, misleading, provocative and malicious information targeting senior police officials and key government figures on Facebook and other social media platforms.

The police strongly condemned the alleged misinformation campaign in a statement issued by its headquarters today (7 August).

“Bangladesh Police has recently observed with deep concern that a vested group is systematically spreading false, fabricated, misleading, provocative and motivated propaganda against senior officials of Bangladesh Police and various important figures in the government on Facebook and other social media platforms,” the statement said.

The police alleged that the fallen fascist forces and their domestic and foreign accomplices were behind the campaign, with the aim of confusing the public, destabilising law and order, demoralising the police force and damaging the government’s image.

According to the statement, some disgruntled groups were spreading fabricated information because police had taken strong legal action against activities of the banned political party and refused to entertain improper lobbying by those involved in spreading the misinformation.

The police also claimed to have evidence that some individuals involved in the campaign had been accused of various criminal offences, engaged in improper lobbying with police and other government offices, and demanded money in exchange for stopping the alleged misinformation.

Bangladesh Police urged people not to believe, share or disseminate misleading or provocative statements circulated on social media.

It also called on citizens to play a responsible role in preventing rumours and misinformation.

“Strict legal action will be taken against those concerned under the existing laws if such misinformation continues in the future,” the statement said.

The police said it was continuing to perform its duties with strong morale, professionalism and dedication to maintain overall law and order and ensure public safety while building trust with citizens.

It called for public awareness and cooperation, as well as a vocal role against those spreading misinformation, saying such campaigns should not undermine police morale or obstruct officers from performing their professional duties.