That âBJP workerâ killed in Bengal? Heâs an India Today journalist, and heâs alive and well
The Hindutva party used Abhro Banerjeeâs picture claiming he was Manik Moitra, a footsoldier allegedly killed by Trinamool Congress members in Sitalkuchi.
06 May, 2021
The Bengal BJP last night posted a video on Facebook showing one Manik Moitro who it alleged had been killed in post-poll violence by Trinamool Congress workers in Sitalkuchi constituency. This morning, Abhro Banerjee, an India Today journalist, tweeted that it was him in the picture, not some Manik Moitro.
He was living and hale and hearty and around 1,300 km away from Sitalkuchi , the journalist added, cautioning against such fake posts.
‘I’m alive,’ says journalist featured in BJP video as party worker killed in Bengal poll violence
After Abhro Banerjee pointed this out on social media, the saffron party deleted its video. Updated May 06, 2021 · 02:40 pm A screenshot of the video posted by BJP falsely identifying journalist Abhro Banerjee as Manik Moitro . | Abhro Banerjee/Facebook
The Bharatiya Janata Party’s West Bengal unit deleted a video from its official Facebook page on Thursday after a journalist pointed out that he had been falsely identified as someone who was killed in post-poll violence in the state.
Abhro Banerjee tweeted a screenshot of the video where he was identified as “Manik Moitro” from Sitalkuchi. He also posted a link to the purported video.
Union Minister V Muralidharan s convoy came under attack in West Midnapore district (PTI)
KOLKATA: Kolkata Police and the Bengal CID have started investigating complaints pouring in from citizens about fake news portraying them as victims of post-poll violence in Bengal across social media. Two FIRs have been registered so far and a third FIR could be filed soon, subject to verification of the complaint.
The police have set up a helpline and provided an email address where victims of fake news can report any such instance.
The immediate trigger was a post on social media by a south Kolkata youth, now working in Delhi, complaining about his portrayal as a martyr on the West Bengal BJP Facebook page. I am Abhro Banerjee, living and hale and hearty and around 1,300km away from Sitalkuchi. BJP IT Cell is now claiming I am Manik Moitra and died in Sitalkuchi. Please don t believe these fake posts and please don t worry. I repeat: I am (still) alive, he tweeted along with a
Bengal BJP responds to its video calling India Today journalist post-poll violence victim, blames hyperlink
On Thursday, the West Bengal BJP issued a statement in response to the erroneous portrayal of an India Today journalist as a victim of the post-poll violence in Bengal. The party said the error was due to a hyperlink .
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UPDATED: May 6, 2021 18:36 IST
Screenshot of video shared by BJP showing Abhro Banerjee s photo as a victim of the post-poll violence in Bengal
HIGHLIGHTS
Image of Mr Abhro Banerjee was erroneously included in the video: BJP
I woke up a little late this morning and saw over 100 missed calls, said Abhro Banerjee