After police surveillance, Chinese nationals filming ‘mysterious’ videos are no longer seen in Dhaka

A group of Chinese nationals used to roam areas including Uttara in Dhaka from morning to night, cameras in hand, filming videos. For a long time they had been recording footage in Uttara's Sector 12, Tekpara and surrounding areas. But since 7 November, they have not been seen filming anymore.

Talking to local residents, it was learned that more than 150 Chinese nationals had been filming in lanes and alleys in this way. They recorded scenes of roads, houses and various places there; sometimes they even went inside people's homes to film. The way they filmed made it look as if they were journalists, going live from the scene to present the ground situation. But local people know nothing about where these videos are published or what is said in them.

On Thursday (12 November), a visit to Uttara's Sector 12, Tekpara and nearby areas found no Chinese nationals filming. Local residents also said that for several days they have not noticed these foreign nationals moving around their area.

One resident of the Tekpara area said he has been at home for two days due to illness and has not seen any Chinese nationals come during this time — whereas before, there was no count of how many Chinese young men and women would come and film during the day.

The matter came into discussion after media reports were published about the Chinese nationals' filming and comments in Uttara. Police surveillance was then strengthened. According to sources at Uttara West Police Station, after the news appeared in the media, surveillance on the Chinese nationals was increased on the instructions of higher authorities, and members of the police and intelligence agencies began observing their activities.

During this time, their visas and passports were asked to be shown. They were also asked why they were carrying out such activities after arriving on tourist visas. They were also told to return to their country once their travel period expires.

Mohammad Khalid Mansur, officer-in-charge (OC) of Uttara West Police Station, said the police are active on the matter. Alongside observing the movement of the foreign nationals, their visas and passports have been checked. They have also been questioned about what kind of activities they are carrying out after arriving on tourist visas.

OC Mohammad Khalid Mansur also said that due to the activity of law enforcement forces, such activities of the Chinese nationals have decreased. Members of the police and intelligence agencies are keeping watch over them, and their activities are being observed through various agencies.

Meanwhile, the issue of filming various slum areas of the capital and presenting them as scenes of India's capital New Delhi has come to India's attention. An Indian media outlet, the Times of India, reported that for several months Chinese nationals have been filming various slum areas of Dhaka. Allegations have arisen that during live broadcasts on Chinese social media, these areas are later presented as various places in New Delhi.

On Tuesday, at the regular weekly briefing of India's Ministry of External Affairs, the ministry's spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal spoke on the matter. He said they have seen the reports published in the media on this issue. Such attempts to present a distorted picture of a country are unfortunate.

Randhir Jaiswal also said that in the ongoing attempt to use foreign individuals, in exchange for money, to show Dhaka as Delhi, the credibility of those spreading the false narrative — as well as of those behind it — is being undermined. He called on the relevant authorities to take action against such individuals.