During a speech at a local programme, Md Saidur Rahman Bachchu, a senior leader of Sirajganj District BNP, commented on the killing of 15 police officers, claiming it sparked the events of August 5. He now claims it was a "slip of the tongue".

The violence he referred to occurred on August 4, when a group of people attacked the Enayetpur Police Station in Sirajganj during the protests. Thirteen police officers, including Abdur Razzak—the officer-in-charge at the time —were beaten to death on the spot, while others were severely injured. Two more police officers died from their injuries the following day.

While speaking at a programme in Baghabari yesterday, Bachchu referred to the incident, saying: "The backbone of the police broke after killing 15 policemen at Enayetpur in Sirajganj, which accelerated the 2024 movement."

The video of his statement quickly went viral on social media. The video was reportedly removed last night.

Bachchu denied making any such statement, and told The Daily Star that his words were misrepresented on social media in an attempt to defame him.

"This was a slip of the tongue. I was highlighting the role of people in Sirajganj during the movements, but my speech was wrongly presented on social media to defame me.

"If anyone has been hurt by my speech, I apologise. This is nothing but a conspiracy to harass me," he said.

Md Rawshan Yeazdani, officer-in-charge of Enayetpur Police Station, confirmed that seven people were arrested in connection with the incident, including former Minister of Fisheries and Livestock Abdul Latif Bishwas.

"We are working to identify other attackers and arrest them," the OC said.

When asked about Bachchu's speech, the OC declined to comment, saying, "I don't know anything about it."