Probe finds Palak, BTRC chairman ordered internet shutdown

An investigation has revealed that the internet shutdown during the quota reform movement was ordered by the former State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, and BTRC Chairman Engineer Mohiuddin Ahmed, not due to a fire as previously claimed.

According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology on Tuesday (August 13), the mobile internet was shut down on orders from the Director General of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Center (NTMC).

The investigation committee, formed under the guidance of Nahid Islam, the interim government’s post, telecommunications, and information technology adviser, found that mobile and broadband internet services were disrupted multiple times across the country during the recent anti-discrimination student movement. These shutdowns disrupted public life and tarnished Bangladesh's international image.

The committee’s preliminary report indicated that the shutdown of mobile internet from July 15-16 and broadband internet from July 18-23 and August 5 occurred without the administrative approval of the Department of Posts and Telecommunications. Instead, they were executed under the verbal orders of Zunaid Ahmed Palak and guidance from BTRC Chairman Engineer Mohiuddin Ahmed.

Additionally, the report found that the shutdown of mobile internet from July 17-28 and August 5 was directed by the NTMC under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The investigation clarified that the internet shutdown was not related to the fire at the data center, contradicting former state minister Palak’s claims that linked the two incidents. The report accused Palak of misleading the nation, and further investigation into the matter is ongoing.

AAH/NMA