A video depicting several structures engulfed in flames has been circulated with claims that extremists targeted Hindus, looting and vandalizing their shops before setting them on fire in Comilla, Bangladesh. However, the reality is that around 50 shops were set on fire in a fire that originated in a sweet shop. There is no reliable evidence to support the claim that all the affected shops were Hindu-owned or that the fire was a deliberate act of violence by extremists.
Sharing the video on X (Formerly Twitter) propagandist account @bloody_media wrote, “Big news is coming from Bangladesh. Yesterday, in Madhaiya Bazar, Chandina, Comilla, I$lamists carried out a planned attack on Hindu shops. They looted, vandalized, and set them on fire, falsely claiming it was caused by a stove flame.”
Another propaganda account @FarazPervaiz3 also shared the video and wrote, “Bangladesh: Islamist Mob Attacks Hindu Shops in Madhaiya Bazar, Chandina, Comilla; Looting and Arson Blamed on Stove Flame. “
Bangladesh: Islamist Mob Attacks #Hindu Shops in Madhaiya Bazar, Chandina, Comilla; Looting and Arson Blamed on Stove Flame.
— Faraz Pervaiz (@FarazPervaiz3) December 30, 2024
Please Repost
Religious minorities are not safe in Bangladesh. pic.twitter.com/mRwb5wUKr4
Several other users and Influencers have also shared the video and made similar claims. Their posts can be seen here, @KreatelyMedia, @IndianSinghh, @jpsin1
The truth about the video shared as 50 shops of Hindus were set on fire , Fact Check
As soon as the posts containing the video and claims came to our notice. Subsequently, we conducted research and analysis of the video. We found that the video was related to an accidental fire, not targeted violence against a particular community.
To verify the claims made by the users. We performed relevant keyword searches and found multiple reports regarding the incident. According to the reports (1, 2), a fire broke out in Madhaiya Bazar in Chandina of the district last night. More than 50 shops were damaged in the fire. The fire started at a sweet shop at 12:45 am. Later, it spread to several shops in the vicinity.
Eyewitnesses say the fire started in a sweet shop next to the Madhaiya Bazar mosque. The fire in the tin set shop spread to the surrounding shops within moments. Upon receiving the information, six units of Chandina, Comilla and Daudkandi Fire Services joined in to bring the fire under control. More than fifty businesses including sweet shops, grocery shops, cloth shops, shoe shops and drug stores were gutted in the fire.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/8281411848625324
Additionally, there is no reliable evidence to support the claim that all the affected shops were Hindu-owned or that the fire was a deliberate act of violence by extremists.
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— D-Intent Data (@dintentdata) December 30, 2024
ANALYSIS: Misleading
FACT: A video showing multiple structures engulfed in flames has been shared with claims that extremists carried out targeted attacks against Hindus, looting and vandalizing their shops before setting them on fire in Comilla, Bangladesh. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/0q0qYKzAp4
Therefore, it is evident from verified sources that it was not targeted violence against Hindus.
Conclusion
Claim– More than 50 shops of Hindus were set on fire by extremists during targeted violence against Hindus in Bangladesh.
Fact– The video depicts around 50 shops were destroyed in a fire that originated in a sweet shop. Not related to target violence.
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