Recently, a video circulated online with the caption, “The BNP leader simply said, ‘We couldn’t eat for 17 years!’ while extorting money—then the army gave him a good beating!” The footage shows several members of the military beating and dragging a man.
Fact-Check
Investigation by the Rumor Scanner team confirms that the video does not depict an incident in which the military assaulted a BNP leader for extortion. In reality, the footage is related to a protest in Bogura last March, when labor leaders were allegedly beaten. During the protest, incidents of vandalism and arson occurred, prompting the army to intervene and restore order. The video shows scenes from that specific situation.
At the beginning of the investigation, the Rumor Scanner team analyzed the viral footage, which was recorded in front of two shops named ‘Talukdar Fal Bhandar’ and ‘Rahman Brothers.’ A Google Maps search confirmed that these stores are located in Bogura.
Building on this location-based lead, a Facebook post published on March 19 by the account ‘Subrata Ghosh BD’ was discovered. The caption claimed that tensions erupted in Bogura between motor transport workers, extending from Satmatha to Station Road, leading to the deployment of military forces to maintain law and order. According to the post, the situation was brought under control by army intervention, though public panic ensued. The scene and context of the video shared in the post-match those in the viral footage.
Following this clue, a video broadcast on the Facebook page of DBC News on March 19 was found, showing identical visuals. The caption confirmed that the video depicts the moment during which shops were vandalized and set on fire following the alleged assault of labor leaders in Bogura.
Additionally, several mainstream media outlets, including BDnews24, Manabkantha, and Somoy TV, reported on the same event.
Therefore, the video showing the army taking action to control protestors during the Bogura labor unrest in March has been misleadingly circulated as an incident in which a BNP leader was beaten for extortion. This portrayal is inaccurate and deceptive.
Original News Source: https://rumorscanner.com/fact-check/bnp-leader-army-video/158206
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Fact-Check Alert
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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.