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Morningsun Online //

Rumor Scanner, a fact-checking organization, has said that rumors and misinformation are being spread on social media about the ongoing situation in Chittagong Hill Tracts. They have so far identified 11 rumors about this crisis.

Collage courtesy of Rumor Scanner–

Last Wednesday in Khagrachari Sadar in the center of the motorcycle theft. A Bengali youth named Mamun (30) died. As a result of this, there was a back-and-forth chase between the Paharis and the Bengalis there that day. This conflict also spread from Khagrachari to Rangamati. 4 people were killed and at least 80 injured in the two hill districts in the clash-violence.

According to Rumor Scanner, on September 20, several Facebook accounts posted a photo of a man in Punjabi with arms in hand with some army personnel, claiming that the photo was a scene from a recent hilly area. However, Reuma’s scanner verified that the image was not of a hilly area. A team of the army went there to control the situation when tension broke out in the Rangpur Central Jail on August 16 after the death of a life sentence prisoner. This is the picture of that time. However, the identity of the man wearing Punjabi in his arms could not be confirmed. Analyzing the related video footage, it is seen that multiple people in plain clothes had weapons in their hands at that time. The senior jail superintendent of this prison, Prashant Kumar Banik, told Rheumare Scanner that this person’s name is Md. Mizanur Rahman. He is working as a prison guard in Rangpur Jail.

Collage courtesy of Rumor Scanner–

Some Facebook posts with the hashtag Dighinala of Khagrachari added scenes of some mountaineers gathering in a forest-like area and claimed, “Many houses have been burnt, some have been killed.” I don’t know how many more people’s houses were burned tonight, how many people were killed. That’s why they are running away. Rumor Scanner says this picture has been on the internet since at least May this year. A post with this picture was found on social media X on May 19.

Rumor Scanner also noted that this flow of misinformation does not stop at the spread of misinformation about religious establishments. Exiled Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen posted a picture of a charred statue on X, claiming it to be the latest sighting in Khagrachari. Similarly, a Facebook page named ‘Sanatan Mahakavya’ posted the same picture and claimed it to be the scene of Rangamati.

Rumor Scanner says the viral photo has been on the internet since at least January this year. On January 10, several posts were found, claiming that it happened on January 6. On that day, Gnansaran Maharanya Buddha Vihara, the temple of Saranankar Bhikkhu in Rangunia, Chittagong was burnt down.

Collage courtesy of Rumor Scanner–

Two videos claiming to be recent scenes from the Chittagong Hill Tracts are on Facebook claiming hill men crossing the road with weapons. Rumor Scanner found that the two videos were from the Philippines. These two videos were published on September 14 on a Facebook page named ‘Sattar Jakkal’. The page is operated from the Philippines. Apart from that, analysis and later verification of various elements of the video (number plate of the car, gas station name, mobile payment service Gcash banner) confirmed that the two videos are from the Philippines.

Collage courtesy of Rumor Scanner–

Another video of some other people with arms is also claimed to be the scene of Chittagong Hill Tracts on Facebook and YouTube. But Rumor Scanner found that the video is from Assam, India. The person in the foreground of the video is Sambor Rangpi. He is a policeman from Assam. The original video was posted on his Facebook account on July 17. The same person published another video on his account on September 3. This was also circulated on Facebook yesterday in the demand of Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh.

Collage courtesy of Rumor Scanner–

Rumor Scanner has spotted a video circulating claiming that US troops are entering Rangamati. It has been verified that this video is not recent. The video was posted on X on May 30 by an account that mentions France in its bio. However, the details of the video are not known. Although it is sure that this is not a Bangladeshi or recent video.

Collage courtesy of Rumor Scanner–

Currently, a picture claiming the condition of Rangamati is being posted on several Facebook accounts. However, Reuma’s scanner verified that the photo is from Myanmar. The fire broke out last week in a village in the country following a clash between the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and Myanmar’s military junta troops.

Collage courtesy of Rumor Scanner–

Rumors of death have become a common occurrence in any critical situation in the country. The recent crisis in the hills was no exception. Lawyer Nijhum Majumder, Awami Jubo Mahila League UK branch president Yasmin Sultana added screenshots of old Facebook posts of a person named Gener Chakma from multiple Facebook accounts, claiming that three (Gener Chakma) were killed in the conflict in Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Collage courtesy of Rumor Scanner

However, Jenner Chakma confirmed to Rumer Scanner that the matter is a complete rumour. He is healthy and currently staying in Dhaka.