The Chief Adviser’s Press Wing has accused key pro-Awami League (AL) figures of circulating false and misleading information regarding the recent violent clashes in Gopalganj.
In a statement released through its verified Facebook page, CA Press Wing Facts, the agency said several old and unrelated images were posted on social media to misrepresent the events of July 16.
According to the statement, a coordinated online campaign was launched by AL-affiliated accounts, including posts by former Chhatra League leader S.M. Jakir Hossain and ex-Deputy Press Secretary to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Ashraful Alam Khokan.
They allegedly shared outdated photos and falsely claimed they depicted the day’s violence, accusing opposition activists and members of the so-called "Yunus gang" of attacking civilians.
One such image showed a wounded teenager amidst chaos, claimed to be from the July 16 clashes.
However, reverse image searches confirmed it originated from an incident on August 10, 2024. Another widely shared photo of a DB officer firing on protesters was actually from a BNP rally in Narayanganj on December 8, 2022.
Jakir Hossain also posted an image of injured individuals in a hospital, purportedly from Gopalganj. The Press Wing clarified that the photo was taken during an unrelated event on March 20, 2023.
Additionally, a manipulated image of a child holding a stick, used to suggest minors were being mobilized for violence in Gopalganj, was traced back to a video shot in Safipur, Gazipur in August 2023. An AI-enhanced version of the photo was circulated by AL-linked online activist Nijhum Majumder.
The statement further debunked claims that the Bangladesh Army had opened fire indiscriminately on civilians, labeling such assertions as baseless and part of the same misinformation campaign.
According to verified reports, the violence began after Awami League and Chhatra League supporters attacked the convoy of National Citizen Party (NCP) leaders following a rally.
The situation escalated rapidly, leading to intense clashes with law enforcement. A police vehicle and a vehicle belonging to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer were torched, prompting authorities to impose a curfew in Gopalganj from 8 PM on July 16 to 6 PM the next day.
Despite these verified events, the Press Wing said AL-affiliated social media accounts attempted to manipulate public opinion through misleading visuals and disinformation.
