Photographers and metadata analysis have contradicted the Dhaka Metropolitan Police鈥檚 claim that a viral image showing Ramna Division deputy commissioner Masud Alam clamping a protesting student鈥檚 mouth with his right hand was generated with artificial intelligence, affirming that the photo was taken during demonstrations in Dhaka on Wednesday.
DMP, however, in a statement on Thursday, claimed the image was created using AI, which further fuelled debate and criticism.
Fact-checking organisation Rumour Scanner on Thursday said that the photo was genuine and not AI-generated, and the DMP circulated the original photo as AI-generated.
Several photojournalists, who were present at the scene, also said that the photo was taken on Wednesday at a protest by the students of BSc engineering universities, mostly from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology.
抖阴精品 photojournalist Sony Ramany was also present at the spot, and he managed to capture a photo of the incident just before the 鈥榝ace grab鈥� incident.
Multiple mainstream media outlets also published different versions of the same photo. The photo sparked widespread discussion on social media, with many comparing it to one of the photos taken during the July uprising.
The BUET student seen in the photo was identified as Rafid Khan, an Electrical and Electronic Engineering student at BUET.
Denying that the photo was AI-generated, Rafid told 抖阴精品 on Friday that they were repeatedly trying to show that they did not want any confrontation with the police, which was why they sat down on the road in front of InterContinental Hotel.
The police fired sound grenades and tear gas anyway, forcing many to retreat, he said, adding that later, water cannons were used against them as many of them remained seated.
鈥業 became disoriented as the water cannons hit me, and then some policemen rushed forward and started beating me. I was hit from behind and from the front with batons and even helmets. At one point, someone hit me on my head with a helmet, and I almost collapsed,鈥� Rafid said.
Then he was dragged away by some fellow students, he said, adding that later, he was taken to BUET Medical Centre for primary treatment.
鈥楾he next day, I went to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where X-rays were done. Thankfully, no fracture was found, though I am still in pain and on medication, he added.
He described the police鈥檚 action as 鈥榟ighly unprofessional鈥� and disproportionate treatment.
DMP in the statement said that the image depicting a student being held by the face with DC Masud Alam was AI-generated, alleging that it was intentionally created to mislead the public.
The statement condemned those involved in circulating the image and urged the public not to be misled by such false propaganda.
On August 27, law enforcers used water cannons, charged batons and fired teargas on the students of engineering universities when they were marching towards state guesthouse Jamuna to press their three-point demand pressing for reforms in the recruitment and promotion system of engineers in the public service.
