West Bengal Violence: Viral Video Of Man Wielding A Gun Is From Bangladesh

A video showing a man wearing a helmet, roaming around the streets brandishing a gun in hand has gone viral on social media platforms, with users claiming to show the current situation of West Bengal which is battling violence over The Waqf Amendment Act. 

Multiple social media users shared the video alleging, “This video will show you the condition of West Bengal”. Newschecker, however, found the claim to be untrue.

Such posts can be seen here, here and here.

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Fact Check/Verification

A Google Lens search on the keyframes of the viral clip led us to a YouTube video by Bangladesh-based outlet SOMOY TV, dated July 17, 2024. It carried a longer version of the viral clip with the title “Who is this young man holding a weapon on a public road in Chittagong? (translated from Bangla via Google)”

In the video posted by SOMOY TV , we were able to spot hoardings saying “Raja Guest House” and “Bata”. Taking a clue, we looked up “Raja Guest House”, “Bata” and “Chittagong” on Google, and were able to locate the place seen in the longer version of the clip, confirming that the video was shot in Bangladesh. 

Subsequent investigation led us to a report by Prothom Alo, dated July 16, 2024, elaborating on that the protesters clashed with the Jubo League and Chhatra League leaders in Chittagong during agitation over quota reforms.

The report also featured a photograph of the same man as seen in the viral clip with the caption, “A young man with a weapon during the clash. This afternoon in the Muradpur area (translated from Bangla via Google)”

Multiple other Bangladeshi outlets such as this and this identified the man as Firoz, a Jubo League leader.

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Conclusion

Hence, an old video from Bangladesh has been falsely shared to show a man wielding a gun in West Bengal amid ongoing violence. 

Sources
YouTube Video By SOMOY TV, Dated July 17, 2024
Report By Prothom Alo, Dated July 16, 2024
Google Images