There were several attempts to circulate rumours in 2019 which often had a detrimental impact on law and order.

The first was the sacrifice of children for the Padma Bridge, followed by stories of abductors stealing young boys and girls. At that time, 64 men and women suspected of being abductors, were lynched to death.
These rumours led to social unrest, agitation and it was found that falsehoods are spread using social media. Therefore, in 2020, the focus will be to curb crimes in the virtual world.
Coordinator for human rights body, Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) Abu Ahmed Faizul Kabir, said: “Lynching was a major event in 2019 and many innocent people lost their lives when they were suspected of being abductors.”
However, on Jul 19, the decapitated head of a child was found in the possession of a young person who was later beaten to death.
As per ASK, from January till November 2019, 64 persons lost their lives in lynching with 21 in Dhaka and 25 in Chattogram.
On Mar 1, 2015, the Chinese company which began the work of the Padma Bridge poured animal blood on the river and floated some chickens as part of ritual based on the belief that animal sacrifice will ward off any evil forces and ensure divine help.
At that time, this ritual was presented in social media with the truth maliciously twisted. Over time, the abduction rumour spread and a sense of terror started to take place among the masses.
Clashes broke out between the police and people in Bhola in October when rumours spread about deliberate slandering of religion. Later, it was found that the Facebook ID of a member of the minority committee was hacked and then a damaging message spread to create anarchy.
On Nov 19, a rumour spread over the rise of the price of salt which spread fast. Some unethical quarters began circulating through social media that the price of salt per kg would exceed Tk 200.
Due to the prompt action of mobile courts, this could not do much harm but it’s believed that within hours, an unscrupulous section had made profits of around Tk 500 million.
Director of RAB’s legal wing, Lieutenant Colonel Md Sarwar Bin Kashem said: “Rumours are created on various issues by vested groups. However, a public awareness TVC has been aired from RAB and this will make people more conscious.”
In the New Year we will focus on cybercrime and thwart all nefarious designs based on concocted stories, he assured.