A video of four youths robbing a motorcycle at gunpoint in the capital’s Hatirjheel has recently gone viral on social media. Many were expressing concern and anxiety as fragments of the video were circulated. Of course, there are allegations that some people deliberately wanted to spread panic by releasing this video.

However, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) said that what is shown in the video is not actually a robbery incident. They said that it is basically part of an awareness campaign. On Friday afternoon, DMP’s Media and Public Relations Department Deputy Police Commissioner (DC) Muhammad Talebur Rahman told the media that some content creators made an awareness video to warn drivers about robberies while they are in secluded places. The video is part of that.

Talebur Rahman further said that the scene was recorded on Wednesday (February 26) at around 11 am in the metropolitan area east of Bridge No. 2 in Hatirjheel. The pistol used in the video is also a toy pistol. After the public awareness video was made and posted on Facebook, some people later spread fragments of the video on social media as a robbery incident. There is a risk of creating fear and insecurity in the public by spreading such fragmented videos or news on social media without knowing the full and real incident.