Old video misrepresented as scene from India migrant crackdown

India's ruling government ordered a migrant crackdown in West Bengal state, sparking an exodus to the frontier. Footage of a confrontation involving people armed with sticks and long knives was falsely claimed to depict migrants attacking Indian border troops. The video was actually taken in January 2025 during a clash between Indian and Bangladeshi farmers over tree cutting. The false claim was shared on social media, fuelling anxiety among West Bengal's Muslim population.