Police dismiss social media rumors of mass deaths in Turag River amid recovery of three bodies

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Authorities in Bangladesh are actively working to dispel viral social media rumors alleging that seven political activists were killed and their bodies dumped into the Turag River. The misinformation campaign, which has spread rapidly across online platforms, claims the alleged deaths were linked to clashes during recent demonstrations marking the founding anniversary of the Awami League.

Police headquarters issued a formal statement on Saturday categorically denying the claims, labeling the reports as baseless fabrications intended to incite public disorder. Both the national police and the Gazipur Metropolitan Police have urged citizens to disregard the claims, warning that they are monitoring digital spaces to identify and prosecute those responsible for disseminating the misinformation.

The confusion stems from the discovery of three bodies in the Turag River between June 24 and June 25, though investigations confirm these deaths were unrelated to any singular political event. Among the deceased was 17-year-old Md. Suman, a resident of Ranavola, who disappeared on June 22. According to Ashulia Police Station officer-in-charge Mohammad Tarekul Islam, Suman’s family reported that he had gone to the river for a picnic and drowned. Suman’s relatives confirmed he was politically active in his local area, but authorities have treated the case as an accidental death, with his family filing an unnatural death report.

A second body recovered from the river was identified as Arif Hasan Rakib, also a resident of the Ranavola area. His family stated that Arif went missing on June 22 and was discovered deceased the following Wednesday. Family members expressed ignorance regarding his reported political affiliations, noting that he struggled with swimming. Darus Salam police confirmed that a formal case regarding his death has been registered.

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The third victim was identified as 35-year-old Roni Molla, who worked at a hotel in the Diabari area. Investigators from the Aminbazar Naval Police outpost concluded that Roni drowned while bathing in the river on June 24. His family confirmed he had no involvement in political activities and suffered from underlying mental health issues.

Local law enforcement officials from multiple jurisdictions, including the Turag, Rupnagar, and Darus Salam stations, as well as fire service and naval police units, have confirmed that there is no evidence to support the narrative of a mass casualty event involving political activists. As officials continue to manage the aftermath of the three confirmed drownings, they remain focused on countering the coordinated disinformation campaign that has sought to frame these individual tragedies as evidence of widespread political violence.