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Published : 29 Aug 2025, 03:24 AM
Police have claimed that a widely circulated photograph showing a police officer grabbing a protesting student’s face during demonstrations by BUET students in Dhaka is “AI-generated”.
Police insist that the image was artificially created to spread confusion among the public and that no such incident took place.
However, three photojournalists from three national dailies who were present at the scene have said they captured the moment themselves.
On Wednesday afternoon, different videos on social media showed BUET students being surrounded and beaten by police. One particular image of Masud Alam, deputy commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Ramna Division, holding a student’s face drew significant attention online.
Many social media users compared the picture with a similar image from the July Uprising, alleging that the current police force is also trying to silence voices by clamping hands over faces.
Visibly embarrassed by the reaction, police have now dismissed the photo as doctored with artificial intelligence.
In a statement issued Thursday evening, Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s public relations division said: “Recently, a photograph showing DMP’s Ramna Division Deputy Commissioner Masud Alam grabbing a student’s face has been published in different media and shared on social media. The photo was deliberately produced using artificial intelligence to spread confusion among the public. A close examination shows it is entirely AI-generated and devoid of reality.”
The statement added, “DMP strongly protests and condemns such actions aimed at misleading the public by targeting a responsible police officer. The public is urged not to be misled by such false propaganda.”
Yet, a fact-checking app called Sight Engine was used to test the photo, and the result showed that the picture was not AI-generated.
PHOTOGRAPHERS’ ACCOUNTS
On Thursday, the photograph appeared on the front page of Manabzamin, taken by photojournalist Abu Sufian Jewel.
Reacting to the police claim, Jewel said: “My photo itself is proof that I took it myself. Bangladesh Pratidin’s Joyeeta Roy and The Daily Star’s Orchid Chakma were also there, and they got the same shot.”
Bangladesh Pratidin’s Joyeeta Roy also posted the image on her Facebook page. Speaking to reporters, she said: “The photo was taken around 2pm in front of Abu Sayed Hospital at the Intercontinental intersection. When police failed to stop the student procession, they began using water cannons and tear gas. At that point, the police officer tried to grab one protester from behind. There was some scuffling, but it all happened very quickly. Other protesters then pulled the student away.”
She added that she was standing next to Orchid, while Jewel was just ahead of her.
Contacted on the issue, Orchid said: “Many people captured that photo from different angles. There is no question of it being AI-generated.”
Other photos and videos of Wednesday’s clashes have spread on social media, showing police charging at students. Protesters accused the police of excessive use of force and demanded action against DC Masud.
Later, DMP Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali went to Shahbagh and apologised to the students.
