A 35-second video purportedly showing a BNP leader from Ramganj in Lakshmipur allegedly consuming cannabis and yaba has gone viral on Facebook, triggering discussion in local political and social circles.
The video reportedly began circulating widely after Sunday evening, 2 August. Since then, attempts to contact the man identified in the footage have reportedly been unsuccessful, as his mobile phone was found switched off.
The individual is identified as Miron Jamaddar, general secretary of the BNP’s No. 2 ward unit in Noagaon Union under Ramganj Upazila. Besides his political activities, he works as a tea-stall owner.
In the video, Miron appears to be putting cannabis inside a cigarette before placing the cigarette to one side. He is then seen allegedly consuming yaba. However, there is no immediate confirmation of when or where the footage was recorded, or the circumstances in which it was filmed. The authenticity and context of the video have also not been independently verified.
After the footage spread online, efforts were made to contact Miron for his response. Several calls to his mobile phone reportedly went unanswered because the number was switched off. As a result, no direct statement from him could be obtained regarding the allegations or the video.
Noagaon Union BNP president Maruf Bhuiyan said Miron had told him that the video was recorded during the tenure of the previous Awami League government. According to Maruf, Miron claimed that he had consumed drugs after being provoked by people associated with the Awami League, citing the political and local circumstances at the time. He also alleged that the old footage was being circulated now amid ongoing political rivalries.
Maruf further claimed that Miron no longer uses drugs and has been involved in anti-drug activities for a considerable period. He said Miron had recently helped law enforcement authorities hand over several people allegedly involved in drug consumption. He also described Miron as the elected general secretary of the BNP’s No. 2 ward unit in Noagaon Union and said he was currently engaged in activities against drug abuse.
The claims surrounding the video, however, remain subject to verification. No publicly available investigation has so far established when the footage was recorded, where it was filmed or whether the person shown is indeed Miron Jamaddar. Similarly, no direct response has been obtained from Miron himself to clarify the circumstances.
Ramganj Police Station officer-in-charge Firoz Uddin Chowdhury said he was currently on leave but was aware of the viral video. He said police operations against drug dealers and users were continuing and that an operation had also been conducted in the area on the day in question.
The incident has once again highlighted the wider concern surrounding the rapid circulation of unverified videos on social media. Such footage can quickly shape public opinion, particularly when it involves allegations against political figures. Yet questions about the video’s date, location, authenticity and context need to be settled before any definitive conclusion is drawn.
In cases involving alleged drug use, law enforcement investigations and admissible evidence remain essential in determining whether any offence has occurred and whether legal action is warranted. Social media footage alone, particularly when its origin and recording date are unclear, may not provide the complete picture.
As of now, police have not announced any arrest or case in connection with the allegations. Authorities have also not provided detailed information on whether a formal investigation into the video will be launched or whether any further legal action is under consideration.
