A viral video circulating on social media shows a man dressed in plain clothes, wearing a police vest and helmet, lifting the lifeless body of a young man into a van with the help of another person. Several more lifeless bodies are already stacked in the van, and blood is seen pooling on the street beneath them. The bodies are partially covered with a sheet, and a few more police officers, wearing helmets and vests, can be seen standing nearby.
The 1-minute 14-second video is believed to have been filmed near Ashulia Police Station in Savar, according to claims by several individuals. AFP fact-checking editor Kador Uddin Shishir mentioned on his Facebook timeline that the incident occurred on August 5, near Ashulia Police Station. After analyzing the surroundings in the video and speaking to locals, it has been confirmed that the location is indeed the road beside the “Islam Polymers and Plasticizers Ltd. Officer Family Quarters,” adjacent to Ashulia Police Station.
A local shop owner, Fahima, confirmed that the incident took place in the area, stating that barricades made of sandbags had been set up at the time. The video also shows election-related posters on the walls near the scene, further supporting the identification of the location as near Ashulia Police Station.
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According to local sources, on August 5, police and ruling Awami League party members opened fire on anti-discrimination protesters in Ashulia’s Baipail area, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. Later that night, a pickup truck with a police logo was set on fire on the side of the Nabinagar-Chandra highway, near Ashulia Police Station. Locals reported seeing at least two charred bodies inside the burning vehicle. Additionally, a burnt body was found in front of the police station, and two mutilated police officers’ bodies were seen hanging upside down on a pedestrian bridge. Residents speculated that more bodies might be inside the burnt pickup truck.
The following day, the relatives of one of the victims identified a burnt body found in the pickup truck. Shahina Begum, the mother of Sajjad Hossain, a student who had been missing since August 5, told that she recognized her son’s body by the ID card found in his pocket. Sajjad was buried on August 7 in Shyampur village, Gaibandha.
According to reports from various hospitals in Ashulia, 14 people were killed in the attack in Baipail, and at least five more, including three police officers, died near Ashulia Police Station. However, the death toll could be higher.
Dhaka District Superintendent of Police (SP) Ahmed Moeed told that the video has been brought to their attention, and they are investigating the matter. The police are working to identify the individuals present at the scene as seen in the footage, and they are committed to ensuring a thorough investigation.
The viral video has sparked widespread discussion and concern. The police have taken the incident seriously and are conducting a detailed investigation. Authorities are not only verifying the authenticity of the video but also identifying those involved to ensure legal action is taken.
This incident has created a significant stir in the national media and on social platforms, particularly due to the disturbing image of bodies stacked in a police van. Further information on the progress of the investigation is expected to be released through the media as the case unfolds.