WhatsApp, Viber to be blocked, if needed: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said that popular online messaging and calling services WhatsApp and Viber will be blocked temporarily, if needed, in order to nab militants and prevent terrorist activities in the country, reports UNB.
The premier made this announcement in response to a query of Awami League lawmaker Hazi Selim during PM’s question-answer session in Parliament.
Defending her idea, the prime minister said the government has allowed these applications for the welfare of people. “Sometimes good people suffer for the misdeeds of a section of people.”
Hasina said the government will take necessary measures for the sake of security and peace and saving public life and property. “I can tell you that very clearly,” she said.
The premier however did not specify when the government is going to block the apps.
She also urged judges to consider the seriousness of crimes of a person while granting bail to him or her and thus save the country from various crimes.
She said this while replying to another supplementary question from ruling party MP Kamal Ahmed Majumder.
The Prime Minister said sometimes intelligence and police personnel catch a criminal spending months and huge money. “After the arrest it is seen the criminal gets bail within 15 to 30 days. This is very much regretful and we have nothing to do,” she added.
Hasina mentioned that the judiciary is now fully free and that is why they are granting bails in such a way.
She said if the bails are granting in such way then there is nothing left for the police personnel. “They’re catching criminals risking their lives, but the criminals are getting out on bail,” the Leader of the House said adding that there should be public awareness in this regard.
Hasina said the trial procedure of cases, even under the Anti-Terrorism Act, is taking too much time in many ways. “This shouldn’t happen.”
She urged all involved in trial process to be more aware and careful.  “We all have to think about the security of the country and its people.”
The Prime Minister said when anything happens the blame goes to the government. “If there’s s any injustice, the blame goes to the government, if the criminals get bail that blame is also shifted onto the government. This is very unfortunate.”

WhatsApp, Viber to be blocked, if needed: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said that popular online messaging and calling services WhatsApp and Viber will be blocked temporarily, if needed, in order to nab militants and prevent terrorist activities in the country, reports UNB. The premier made this announcement in response to a query of Awami League lawmaker Hazi Selim during PMs question-answer session in Parliament. Defending her idea, the prime minister said the government has allowed these applications for the welfare of people. Sometimes good people suffer for the misdeeds of a section of people. Hasina said the government will take necessary measures for the sake of security and peace and saving public life and property. I can tell you that very clearly, she said. The premier however did not specify when the government is going to block the apps. She also urged judges to consider the seriousness of crimes of a person while granting bail to him or her and thus save the country from various crimes. She said this while replying to another supplementary question from ruling party MP Kamal Ahmed Majumder. The Prime Minister said sometimes intelligence and police personnel catch a criminal spending months and huge money. After the arrest it is seen the criminal gets bail within 15 to 30 days. This is very much regretful and we have nothing to do, she added. Hasina mentioned that the judiciary is now fully free and that is why they are granting bails in such a way. She said if the bails are granting in such way then there is nothing left for the police personnel. Theyre catching criminals risking their lives, but the criminals are getting out on bail, the Leader of the House said adding that there should be public awareness in this regard. Hasina said the trial procedure of cases, even under the Anti-Terrorism Act, is taking too much time in many ways. This shouldnt happen. She urged all involved in trial process to be more aware and careful. We all have to think about the security of the country and its people. The Prime Minister said when anything happens the blame goes to the government. If theres s any injustice, the blame goes to the government, if the criminals get bail that blame is also shifted onto the government. This is very unfortunate.