A recent incident of open stone looting in Bholaganj of Sylhet’s Companiganj upazila has sparked widespread public discussion. Allegations have emerged that local political leaders have provided backing for this looting. In response, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has suspended Companiganj upazila BNP president Shahab Uddin from his position.

Amid this backdrop, a video has circulated online claiming that the army is conducting a large-scale midnight operation in Sylhet against BNP-affiliated stone and sand traders.

The incident of stone looting in Bholaganj of Companiganj, Sylhet has triggered significant public concern. Allegations continue to circulate suggesting that local political figures are involved. In consequence, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party has suspended Shahab Uddin, the president of Companiganj upazila BNP.

In this context, a video has been shared online, asserting that the army is conducting major nighttime raids in Sylhet against BNP-aligned stone and sand businessmen.

According to the report, on November 5, 2024, at approximately 5:30 PM, tension arose in the Hazari Lane area of Chattogram's Teribazar, following a Facebook post made by an individual named Osman Ali that was critical of ISKCON. Shortly afterward, a mob of roughly 500–600 individuals gathered in the area, allegedly intending to kill Osman Ali and his brother, and to set fire to shops. Based on information from the local control room, six joint patrol units comprising members of the Bangladesh Army, police, and BGB were deployed to the area in the shortest possible time.

Due to the large number of assailants, and in order to protect lives and prevent mob justice, the joint forces rescued Osman Ali and his brother from the scene. Although the agitated crowd was assured that the issue would be resolved through proper legal procedures, the attackers became more aggressive. They launched a sudden acid attack—using acid commonly employed in jewelry-making—against the joint forces, and began hurling heavy bricks, stones, and broken glass bottles. As a result, five members of the army and seven police personnel sustained injuries.

Following this incident, around 9:30 PM, ten joint patrol teams returned to the Hazari Lane area to identify the perpetrators. At that time, the hidden attackers again threw acid-like substances at the forces. The joint team then detained 80 individuals suspected of involvement.

Identical information was reported by Dhaka Post and Kaler Kantho, both citing a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Directorate. Somoy TV’s report also relied on ISPR’s statement as its source.

Therefore, it is confirmed that the video circulated in support of the claim of army operations in Sylhet is, in fact, footage from a separate, older incident that occurred in Chattogram.

Moreover, no information has been found in any reliable media outlet or credible source suggesting that the army has carried out any separate operation against BNP-affiliated stone and sand traders in Sylhet in connection with the stone looting. However, today (August 13), the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is conducting an operation in the Sadapathor area of Bholaganj, Sylhet, in response to illegal stone extraction activities.

In conclusion, the video that has recently been shared, purportedly showing an army operation in Sylhet against BNP-affiliated stone and sand traders, is in fact footage from a separate incident in Hazari Goli, Chattogram, in November 2024; and the claim being made using this video is false.

Source: https://rumorscanner.com/fact-check/sylhet-bnp-stone-traders-army-raid-false/162664