Rumor Scanner: 11 Rumors Identified in Recent Incidents in the Chittagong Hill Tracts
11 Rumors Spread in Recent Incidents in the Chittagong Hill Tracts
In recent days, 11 rumors have circulated concerning the recent incidents in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, primarily through social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube. This information has been highlighted in a report by Rumor Scanner, a fact-checking organization.
The report, published on Saturday (September 21), stated, "On September 18, a clash between hill communities and Bengali settlers occurred following the mob beating and killing of a Bengali youth named Md. Mamun over a motorcycle theft in Khagrachari. The conflict also spread to the neighboring district of Rangamati, where reports of deaths have emerged. This crisis has also fueled a wave of misinformation and rumors. Rumor Scanner has identified 11 such rumors related to this situation so far."
On Friday (September 20), several Facebook accounts shared a photo (1, 2) depicting some military personnel alongside an armed man dressed in a Panjabi, claiming that the photo was from the recent incidents in the hill region.
However, Rumor Scanner has verified that the photo is not from the hill region. It was taken on August 16 during an incident in Rangpur Central Jail, where a group of military personnel was deployed to control a tense situation following the death of a life-sentenced prisoner. The identity of the man in Panjabi holding the weapon could not be confirmed. Video footage analysis shows that several individuals in civilian attire were armed during that time.
Senior Jail Superintendent Prashanta Kumar Banik told Rumor Scanner that the individual in question is Md. Mizanur Rahman, a prison guard at Rangpur Jail.
Meanwhile, several Facebook posts using the hashtag Dighinala in Khagrachari have shown images of a group of hill people gathered in a jungle-like area, with claims that "many homes have been burned down, several people have been killed. Who knows how many more homes will be burned and how many people will be killed tonight. That's why these people are fleeing."
However, this image is not from the recent events. It has been circulating on the internet since at least May of this year. A post containing the same image was found on X on May 19, and an Indian media outlet, The Times of India, also published the same image on May 20. The report stated that a number of refugees from the Chittagong Hill Tracts had taken shelter in the Lunglei district of Mizoram, India.
The spread of misinformation has not spared religious sites either. On X, exiled Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasrin shared an image of a burnt statue, claiming it depicted the recent crisis in the hills. However, this viral image has been on the internet since at least January of this year.
On January 10, multiple posts (1, 2) related to this claim were found, stating that the incident occurred on January 6. On that day, the Gyanasharan Maha Aranya Buddhist Monastery in Sharanankar Vihara, Rangunia, Chattogram, was allegedly set on fire.
Meanwhile, two videos (1, 2) circulating on Facebook claim to show armed hill people crossing a road, purportedly related to the recent events in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. However, Rumor Scanner's investigation revealed that both videos are from the Philippines.
Two videos (1, 2) were posted on a Facebook page named "Sattar Jakkal" on September 14. This page is operated from the Philippines. Upon analyzing various elements in the videos, such as vehicle license plates, gas station names, and a banner for the mobile payment service GCash, Rumor Scanner confirmed that the videos were indeed from the Philippines.
Another video showing several individuals holding weapons is also being circulated on Facebook and YouTube, claiming it depicts scenes from the Chittagong Hill Tracts. However, Rumor Scanner's investigation revealed that the video is from Assam, India.
The individual seen at the beginning of the video is named Sambor Rongpi. He is a police officer from Assam. The original video was posted on his Facebook account on July 17.
On September 3, the same individual released another video on his account, which has also been circulated on Facebook as depicting scenes from the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh.
Rumor Scanner has observed the circulation of a video claiming that U.S. soldiers are entering Rangamati. However, after verification, it has been found that this video is not recent.
The video was posted on X on May 30 from an account that mentions France in its bio. However, no detailed information about the video has been obtained. It is confirmed that this is neither a video from Bangladesh nor a recent one.
Currently, a photo claiming to depict the situation in Rangamati is being circulated on multiple Facebook accounts. However, Rumor Scanner has verified that this photo is from Myanmar.
The fire incident occurred last week in a village in the country during clashes between the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and Myanmar's military junta forces.
In any crisis situation in the country, rumors of death have become a common occurrence, and the recent crisis in the hills is no exception. Multiple Facebook accounts, including those of Barrister Nizhum Mojumder and Yasmin Sultana Polen, president of the UK branch of the Awami Jubo Mohila League, have shared screenshots of old posts from a Facebook account belonging to a person named Jena Chakma, claiming that he was killed in the recent conflict in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. However, Jena Chakma confirmed to Rumor Scanner that this is entirely a rumor. He is safe and currently residing in Dhaka.
The confusion regarding this matter primarily arises from the names involved. Media reports indicate that up to four people have died in the clashes and gunfire between the indigenous and Bengali communities in Khagrachari and Rangamati. Among them, a person named Junan Chakma (20) was killed in Khagrachari. Netizens mistakenly interpreted the name "Junan" as "Jena" and posted claims of a living person being deceased. This was reported by Rumor Scanner.
