Numerous reports of attacks and riots in Bangladesh have surfaced online with a recent clash in Gopalganj. Surrounding the protests and riots, a claim has been viral about Indian involvement in the Gopalganj Riots. A user on social media has shared the images from the clash with the claim, ” Breaking News: Gopalganj Riots – National Security Intelligence of #Bangladesh has found strong evidence of Indian involvement in anti-army riots in Gopalganj. Two people were killed and 15 others were injured as a result of clashes between protesters and the military in the city of Gopalganj in the Dhaka region Awami League supporters arrested from Gopalganj have confessed to abetment and incitement by RAW agents & frontmen“
Following this post, other users have also shared a similar claim about Indian involvement in the clashes.
Fact Check
We investigated the viral claim. During the process, no media reports, either national or international, were found to support the viral allegation. A review of Bangladesh’s media reports also revealed no mention of any Indian involvement in the Gopalganj riots.
A report by The Daily dated Aug 10, 2024, reported,” The incident took place near Gopinathpur bus stand in Gopinathpur union of Gopalganj Sadar upazila around 3:30 pm, reports our Faridpur correspondent.
Locals said thousands of leaders and activists of Awami League and its allied organizations brought out a procession this afternoon demanding the return of party President Sheikh Hasina to the country.” Nowhere in it mentioned any Indian involvement in the riots.
Furthermore, it mentioned, “Five army personnel and two of the protesters, including a child, were injured. An army vehicle was set alight. Major Akikur Rahman Rosad, who is serving in Gopalganj, said, that they heard the news from locals.”
Additionally, we found an Instagram post as well which reported the Incident. The caption of the Post also didn’t mention any Indian Involvement in the riots.
Conclusion
Therefore, it is evident that the viral claim of Indian involvement in the Gopalganj riots in Bangladesh is fake. No media reports available online indicate any Indian involvement.
DFRAC Analysis: Fake news
