Prime Minister's ICT Affairs Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy yesterday inaugurated the expanded national emergency services through using toll-free hotline number '999' across the country, reports UNB. The number - 999- is an officialemergency telephone numberused in a number of countries around the world allowing the caller to contactemergency servicesfor urgent assistance. Joy inaugurated the services at a function in the capital Dhaka's National Control and Command Centre well-known as Police Control Room of Abdul Gani Road with the presence of Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak, Inspector General of Police A K M Shahidul Hoque, among others. A dedicated call centre has already been set up at the Police Control Room to provide the services.

Following inauguration of the expanded national emergency services, anyone from any place within the country can seek help for three emergency services-ambulance, police and the Fire Service and Civil Defence - using both mobile and land phone.

The ambulance service, however, will not be free. After ringing the "999", the caller has to keep their phone on for further inquiries by police. However, police sources warned that legal action will be taken against anyone making prank calls on the emergency number.