False NID for Rohingyas, national security risk

Forty-seven fake national identity (NID) cards have been detected in Chattogram, raising questions of national security.

The national server for NID cards is located at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. As per rules, the regional NID wing cannot take any final decisions to issue cards. They have only jurisdiction to directly upload related information along with the photo of a NID seeker, but cannot include this in the server directly. Only the central secretariat can do.

The controllers of the central server must also be held responsible for the 47 fake NID cards discovered in Chattogram. An investigation team is going to Chattogram in this connection. It is urgent to unearth the mystery behind the incident.

Many Rohingyas are eager to get Bangladeshi passports. Many Rohingyas in Middle East countries are holding Bangladeshi passports. Rohingyas, trying to get NID of Bangladesh, have a target to procure passports. It is easy to get passport if someone has an NID. This incident has alerted the officials of the passport department.

A Rohingya woman made an NID in the name of Ramzan Bibi Laki. Officials noticed the matter when she went to collect her smart card. An investigation was carried out and more 46 fake NIDs were discovered.

Two investigations are reportedly being carried out. However, there has been no mention of any IT expert in the investigation.

Not only the election commission, but also the entire administration has to seriously take up the matter of issuing NIDs to Rohingyas. Chattogram district election officer has said there may be more fake NIDs alongside these 46 ones. Rohingyas may use an organised gang for the purpose.

Such matters cannot take place without the knowledge of those who maintain the server.

The government and the election commission should see this as a threat to national security, instead of focusing on Rohingyas. If it is necessary, fundamental changes have to be carried out information records and issuing NID. It is clear that the manufacture and distribution of NID is not fully secured. It is proved that those who were in charge were not fully aware.

The election commission has announced a new initiative to tackle Rohingyas being voters. As per the new rule, information on those who will become new voters will be tallied with the server of Rohingyas. Along with this initiative, the security of NID server has to be ensured completely. It is urgent to make a comprehensive evaluation of NID management. There should be no hide and seek in publishing the inquiry report about the fake NIDs.