Tied-up woman is not a garment worker — the video is from a theft case in Noakhali's Sonaiumuri

A video has gone viral on social media with the claim that it shows 'brutal torture of a hungry woman by Chhatra Dal.' Verification shows the video is from a different incident altogether. In fact, it is a video of a woman being detained on suspicion of theft in Sonaiumuri, Noakhali, on May 12 this year.

In a video posted on November 6 from an X account named 'Nazmul Hassan,' the English caption claimed that the just movement of hungry garment workers was being brutally suppressed. It alleged that BNP workers were tying up workers and torturing them inhumanely, and abducting or killing them, while the Bangladeshi media remained silent and was not reporting the real incident.

The same video was also shared on May 12 this year in a Facebook group named 'Supporters of Bangladesh Awami League.' The caption of that post said that brutal treatment of a hungry woman can never be justified, and that oppressing the weak by flaunting power or identity is nothing but cowardice.

Analysis of the 18-second viral video shows a crowd of onlookers gathered around a woman, while a young man ties her hands behind her back with a rope. The woman can be heard pleading repeatedly, 'Kaka, I did not take 8,000 taka, kaka, I did not take 8,000 taka.' In the video posted on Facebook on May 12, the words 'Sonaiumuri, Noakhali' can also be seen at the top left.

Although clashes between workers and police did occur in Savar and Gazipur during the recent movement demanding a minimum wage for garment workers, no evidence of any such incident was found there. Recently, garment workers have been protesting in industrial areas including Mirpur in the capital, Savar-Ashulia, Hemayetpur and Gazipur, demanding a minimum monthly wage of 30,000 taka.

A reverse image search using several key frames from the video later found a video shared on May 12 on a Facebook page named 'Noakhalir Khobor 24.' The 2-minute-4-second video matches the viral clip.

The caption of that video said locals had detained a woman in Sonaiumuri on allegations of stealing money. It also described the woman as a member of a theft ring, and mentioned allegations that an agitated crowd had beaten her. The post named Sonaiumuri, Noakhali as the location and used the hashtags #Sonaiumuri, #Noakhali, #ChorChokro, #Gonodholai and #BreakingNews.

Further searches with relevant keywords found the same incident's video and information on the Facebook pages and YouTube accounts of several local online media outlets, including 'Sonaiumuri'r Awaz.' None of those videos mention Chhatra Dal or any political party. Instead, the videos speak of the money-theft allegation, the claim that the woman had two more accomplices, and that she was handed over to the police. The comments on the videos carry the same information.

When contacted on the number given on the 'Noakhali Khobor Twenty Four' page for more details, the page's admin, Gulzar Hanif, said the woman is essentially a member of a theft ring. He said he was present and filmed the video himself after receiving information from the victims, and that the incident has no political connection.

The conclusion of the verification is clear: the video circulated on social media with the claim that Chhatra Dal tortured a hungry garment worker is from a different incident. The woman in the video is not a garment worker; she is a woman detained in Sonaiumuri on a theft allegation, and the incident took place on May 12 this year.

At the same time, several other claims are circulating on social media — a claim that the body of a banned Awami League leader in Rangpur was exhumed from his grave and set on fire; a claim that an Awami League procession after Jummah prayers was a rehearsal for a 'tsunami movement' in December; claims that 8 workers were killed in Ashulia and 5 in Hemayetpur by police firing; and a claim that a banned Chhatra League leader was killed and hung from a tree branch. These claims are also being spread without verification, so it is important to check the real source and location of any video or post before sharing it.