Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Thursday urged all to refrain from making any post on social networking sites without judging the authenticity.

‘Rumour is like a matchbox. A devastating fire can be originated from a single stick and rumour works the same way, which also can destroy the social and political stability of a country,’ he said, reports the UNB.

The Home Minister came up with the remarks while inaugurating an awareness advertisement (TVC) against rumour with the slogan ‘Stop Lies, Know the Truth’ at the media centre of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in the city’s Karwan Bazar area.

‘Now, we’re passing a time where people can easily be involved in spreading rumours which is a criminal offence. Those who are involved in it will be identified,’ he added.

A cybercrime cell was also formed by the elite force to detect such crimes, said the minister.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Javed Patwary said Rab has made anti-militancy and anti-drug TVCs by the time and now it has produced an anti-rumour TVC, which is a good initiative.

He claimed that the Ramu incident in Cox’s Bazar and the recent student protests for safe roads took place due to the spread of rumours. ‘So, social peace could be established preventing the spread of rumours,’ he said.

Rab Director General Benazir Ahmed said there has been an internet revolution in the country over the last 10 years. ‘But a vested quarter has been spreading rumours on the internet intentionally for the last 3-4 months.’

He said the elite force arrested 138 people for spreading rumours on the internet in the last one year. ‘Nobody will be spared if anyone gets involved in such activities.’

Secretary of the Public Security Division under the Home Ministry was also present at the programme.