DHAKA, Feb 16, 2026 (BSS) - BanglaFact, the media research and fact-checking 
wing of the Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB), has identified as false a viral 
claim that activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) set fire to 
residential houses in Debiddar of Cumilla following the 13th national polls.

In an investigation report, BanglaFact said the video being circulated on 
social media was misleadingly presented as evidence of post-election violence 
in Debiddar. 

However, the fact-checking body found that no such incident occurred in the 
area after the election.

According to the report, the footage actually dates back to January 14 and 
shows a fire incident in Unjhuti village under Debiddar upazila. The video 
was later shared online with a false narrative linking it to post-election 
unrest.

The report further clarified that the claim alleging BNP activists set houses 
on fire for not voting for the "Daripalla" symbol is false.