The footage appeared on the Facebook account of Mujahid Fakir, member secretary of the Santhia municipal unit of the NCP, on Thursday (22 October). Although the video was removed approximately an hour after being uploaded, it had already circulated widely across social media platforms, drawing criticism from users and raising questions about the circumstances surrounding its publication.
Several social media users condemned the apparent display of a weapon and demanded action against the political leader. However, some NCP activists have claimed that the footage was generated using artificial intelligence, raising uncertainty about its authenticity.
The video shows the hands and legs of two individuals, although neither person’s face is clearly visible. One individual appears to place a pistol-like object on the floor before another picks it up and handles it.
The identities of those appearing in the footage remain unclear. It has also not been established whether the object shown is a genuine firearm, a replica or part of digitally manipulated footage.
The incident has attracted attention within Santhia’s political circles, with local opposition representatives expressing concern about the possible implications of displaying weapons on social media.
Abdul Karim, president of the Santhia municipal unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), criticised the incident and urged the authorities to investigate.
He alleged that such displays were intended to create fear among members of the public.
“Such displays of weapons are intended to create fear among the public. A former state minister recently lost his position over a similar incident. Mujahid Fakir and several other political leaders have been repeatedly publishing such posts. The administration should take prompt legal action to maintain peace and order,” Karim said.
His remarks reflected concerns over the potential impact of firearm-related content shared by individuals holding political positions, particularly when the authenticity and legality of the weapons involved remain uncertain.
Meanwhile, police have confirmed that they are examining the newly circulated footage.
Anisur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Santhia Police Station, said Mujahid Fakir had previously shared similar photographs and videos on Facebook. However, the object displayed in those earlier posts was subsequently identified as a toy pistol.
The officer said investigators were now working to determine whether the weapon-like object appearing in the latest video was genuine.
According to Rahman, if the object is confirmed to be an actual firearm, police will investigate whether it was legally possessed and whether the footage was deliberately published to spread fear among the public.
He indicated that appropriate legal measures would be taken based on the findings of the investigation.
The distinction between a genuine firearm and an imitation is central to the inquiry. Establishing the nature of the object would help investigators determine whether any firearms-related legal provisions might apply.
The circumstances in which the video was recorded and subsequently published could also be relevant to assessing the allegations raised by local political figures.
Attempts to contact Mujahid Fakir for clarification were unsuccessful, as his mobile phone was switched off. Consequently, his explanation regarding the video and the allegations surrounding it could not be obtained.
The NCP’s local leadership has also refrained from making a definitive statement about the controversy.
Md Bakul, convener of the party’s Santhia upazila unit, said he had heard about the incident from others but had not personally watched the footage.
He explained that he had also been unable to contact Mujahid because his phone was switched off.
Bakul said he would comment on the matter after obtaining detailed information about what had happened.
The competing claims surrounding the footage have left several questions unanswered. While critics have called for accountability over the apparent display of a weapon, NCP activists have questioned whether the video itself is authentic.
No independently verified evidence has yet established that the footage was artificially generated. Equally, the available information does not confirm that the object shown was a functioning firearm.
The incident also highlights the difficulties authorities face when assessing potentially alarming material circulated through social media, particularly when the original content has been deleted but copies continue to spread.
For investigators, determining the authenticity of the footage and identifying the object shown will be essential before reaching conclusions about possible wrongdoing.
Police have not announced any final findings regarding the video, and no confirmed legal action against Mujahid Fakir has been reported in connection with the latest footage.
The controversy remains under scrutiny as authorities seek to establish whether the video depicts a genuine weapon and whether its publication involved any violation of the law.
