Recently, multiple images depicting individuals in police custody were circulated on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) under the headline, "These indigenous Bawm mothers and their children were arrested and taken to a police camp after they were accused of supporting terrorists." The claim suggests that indigenous Bawm women and their children were recently detained by law enforcement on allegations of supporting terrorism.
Fact-Check
An investigation by the Rumor Scanner team reveals that this claim is false. The images being circulated do not depict a recent incident of indigenous women and their children being arrested for supporting terrorists. Instead, the photographs are from April 22, 2024, when three female members of the Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) were taken into custody in connection with a robbery at Sonali Bank in Bandarban, an attack on a mosque, and the looting of firearms from police and Ansar personnel.
A reverse image search led to an article published on April 22, 2024, by mainstream news outlet Amader Shomoy titled "Three More Female KNF Members Jailed." The images in this report match the ones now being shared with misleading claims. The report details that a total of 71 individuals were arrested in connection with bank robberies, attacks on religious institutions, abductions, and weapon looting in Ruma and Thanchi. Among them, 59 were remanded for two days, while three women were permitted to be interrogated at the jail gate.
Further verification through relevant keyword searches identified another report on Somoy TV’s website, also dated April 22, 2024, titled "Three Female KNF Associates Imprisoned." This report confirms that on April 22, the accused were presented before the Bandarban Chief Judicial Magistrate, where Judge Md. Nurul Haque rejected their bail petitions and ordered their incarceration. The three women—Lal Nun Pui Bawm (18), Lal Ruat Fel Bawm (20), and Lal Eng Kol Bawm (26)—were arrested on Sunday morning. Law enforcement agencies had detained 71 individuals in total in connection with the robbery cases in Ruma and Thanchi. Multiple national media outlets covered the event at the time.
Thus, the claim that indigenous women and their children were recently arrested for supporting terrorism is misleading. The images being used to support this assertion are from April 2024, when law enforcement apprehended suspects involved in bank robberies, armed attacks, and kidnappings. Presenting this as evidence of indigenous persecution under the interim government is factually incorrect and deceptive.
Original News Source: https://rumorscanner.com/fact-check/there-have-been-recent-allegations-of-bank-robberies-that-occurred-during-hasinas-leadership/140608
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Fact-Check Alert
Please be aware of misleading information about Bangladesh politics on social media and verify sources before sharing.
Before sharing any photocard, always verify it by checking the original media source.
Sharing religious misinformation and disinformation can cause harm. Always verify before sharing.
Before sharing any photocard, always verify it by checking the original media source.
Sharing religious misinformation and disinformation can cause harm. Always verify before sharing.