The Press Wing of the Chief Adviser’s office has denied claims circulating on social media that three protesters were killed by police gunfire in front of Jamuna, official residence of the chief adviser.
Reports also alleged that at least 10 others were in critical condition.
On Friday, the Press Wing confirmed after fact-checking that there was no evidence to support these claims. A keyword search of multiple media outlets found reports of police using baton charges and sound grenades to disperse protesters, but no credible sources reported any fatalities.
Government employees staged a sit-in on Friday in front of the chief adviser’s residence demanding implementation of a new pay scale. Police deployed tear gas, sound grenades, and batons to disperse the protesters. Senior police officials, including Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sheikh Md Sazzat Ali, reportedly requested the protesters to vacate the area, but the sit-in continued.
Around 12:30pm, police charged the protesters, who retreated toward the Hotel InterContinental intersection. Police again used force around 1:15pm, firing sound grenades that pushed some protesters toward Shahbagh and others toward Banglamotor.
Despite the use of force, the Press Wing confirmed that the claims of three deaths in front of Jamuna were false.