
It is so easy to make a fake national ID (Identity Document) card in Bangladesh that it costs only Tk 30 to 35. Last Friday police seized 53,000 fake national ID cards during a drive and arrested two people in this connection.
If it is such an easy task to make fake national ID cards, these clichéd operations cannot perhaps stop the spate of forgery.
Now national ID card has been made mandatory from opening a bank account to buy a SIM card of mobile phone and to enjoy some specific government services. Here the question is if one can do this with a fake national ID card, what is the justification to make the national ID card mandatory in these matters?
It is clear that the fake national ID card is working well and that is why the forgery circles are making fake national ID cards.
From a statement of a police officer, which was published on Prothom Alo, we came to know that criminals use these forged ID cards to buy mobile SIM cards.
That means those who sell SIM cards to these fake ID card holders either they do not verify the ID cards or they cannot verify the cards.
As a result, using national ID card for buying SIM cards turn out to be meaningless.
Besides making ID cards mandatory in different sectors authorities must ensure verification of ID cards to stop forgery of ID cards.
The SIM retailer and other authorities should be directed to verify ID cards. If they show negligence in verification, they must be treated with punishment.
On the other hand, the authorities should be provided by the opportunities to easily confirm the ID cards. Technically it is not a tough job.
We wish authorities concerned will take a prompt initiative in this matter.