4 held for 'spreading rumour' over Padma Bridge construction

Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) today claimed to have arrested four persons for allegedly spreading rumour on social media over Padma Bridge construction.

The arrestees are: Shahidul Islam, 25, of Narail; Md Arman Hosen, 20, of Chattogram; Md Faruk, 50, of Moulvibazar; and Hayatunnabi, 31, of Cumilla.

The four were arrested from different districts at different times and handed over to police, Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan, senior assistant director of Rab's legal and media wing, told The Daily Star.

Separate cases were filed against the arrestees, the Rab official said.

The arrest was made three days after the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges urged the country people not to pay heed to the rumour about the need for a human sacrifice for the Padma Bridge project.

On July 9, the ministry, in a notice, urged the country people not to pay heed to the rumour, according to a UNB report.

The ministry also said it has noticed that propaganda is being spread by a certain group on social media. "It's a rumour. Spreading such rumour is a criminal offence,” the ministry said.