Fake NIDs to Rohingyas: 4 more EC officials detained

Members of Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) of police in Chattogram detained four more data entry operators in connection with the discovery of making fake National Identity (NID) cards for Rohingyas, additional CTU deputy commissioner Palash Kanti Nath has confirmed.

They were detained for interrogation from the Chattogram district election office at 12:00pm on Sunday. One of them is a woman.

Chattogram’s Double Mooring thana election office assistant Zaynal Abedin, who was arrested for reported NID forgery on 16 September, recorded a deposition under the section 164 to the court. The names of four persons came up in the deposition.

Earlier on 16 September, three people including Zaynal Abedin were detained on charges of providing fake NIDs to Ronhingyas, and handed over to Kotwali police station.

The election commission secretariat temporarily suspended Zaynal on 17 September.

On the same day, five people including Zaynal were sued on charges of enlisting Rohingyas in the voter list and stealing laptops.

The case was filed under the digital security act and the election commission act.

Zaynal's associates -- Bijoy Das and his sister Seema Das and two others -- were made accused.

Mostafa Faruk, a data entry operator at the district election office in Chattogram, was arrested on Thursday night. He was put on a five-day remand on the following day.

The incident of fake NIDs has been discovered recently when a female Rohingya named Ramzan Bibi went to the Chattogram district election office on 18 August to pick up smart card in the name of 'Laki'.

It was found that all information of Laki was available in the server.

The district election officers were doubtful after talking to Laki and they contacted with the Hathazari upazila election office.

The Hathazari upazila election office said that NID in the name of Laki was not issued.

Hathazari election officer Ariful Islam filed a case with Kotwali police station.

Following the incident, two investigation committees were formed in Dhaka and Chattogram. Kotwali police station also started an investigation. It was found that many Rohingyas made fake NIDs.