Photo: Collected
A report by an investigation committee stated that the decision to shut down and later restore internet services during the student protests was carried out under verbal orders from then State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak, without any administrative approval from the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications. The shutdown was executed under the direction of the Chairman of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), Engineer Md. Mohiuddin Ahmed. There was no connection between the internet shutdown and the fire at the data center.
Mobile internet services were shut down from midnight on July 17, and broadband internet services were suspended on the night of July 18, in response to the student-led quota reform movement.
At the time, various statements were made by high-ranking government officials regarding the reason for the internet shutdown.
The investigation report further stated that former State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak deceived the nation by linking the internet shutdown with the damage caused by the fire at the data center.
Facing a popular uprising, Sheikh Hasina resigned on August 5 and left for India. In the changed political scenario, Dr. Muhammad Yunus was sworn in as the head of the interim government on August 8, with 16 advisors accompanying him.
Two coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement are also part of the advisory panel, including Nahid Islam, who serves as an advisor to the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology.
Messenger/Shahed
