Caption: (Left) A photo of police action taken in front of BNP office in Dhaka in 2011, (right) a manipulated copy of the same image which is now being circulated in social media amid coronavirus outbreak. Photo courtesy: Police Headquarters
Police Headquarters today called upon all not to spread misleading information and rumours against police as it is demotivating the officials who are working for the welfare of the country amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
The policemen are even performing the burial of coronavirus positive victims by risking their own lives, the Police Headquarters said in a statement today.
The police HQ made the appeal after it was found that a quarter with vested interests has been posting manipulated pictures of police action, taken during the arson attacks in 2011 amid nationwide blockade enforced by BNP-Jamaat coalition.
The section is circulating the manipulated images in a bid to spread rumours of police action on marginalised people during the ongoing nationwide closure due to coronavirus outbreak.
Common people are simply believing these posts and they are expressing their wrath and sharing those posts, said the PHQ statement.
Sohel Rana, assistant inspector general at PHQ, told The Daily Star today that police have been working relentlessly on various platforms to prevent the spread of coronavirus and ensure the welfare of the country and the nation under the direction of government from the very beginning.
"Police are interacting with millions of people across the country every day to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Several members of the police have been accused of unwanted coercion during certain events or interactions," said the AIG.
Soon after PHQ noticed those incidents through news media and social media, the unit commanders have been ordered to investigate the incidents immediately, AIG Sohel Rana said.
"Inspector General of Police personally spoke to all commanders through video messages and on cell phones and likewise instructed officers deployed at the field level," he said.
As a result, such incidents have not been repeated or come to the notice of PHQ nor were those published or found visible in most print, electronic and online media, the AIG also said.
However, some news outlets are still publishing news using the manipulated images to make it seem as if the police actions have continued, said the AIG, adding that such rumour is emotionally demotivating the police officials.
The AIG further requested all to assist police in stopping the spread of rumours.
"Appropriate legal action will be taken for spreading rumours and lies among the people. Our cyber teams are working to find out those behind the rumours," he added.
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