Unraveling the Night: Investigating the Tragedy in Tatallap’s Central Plaza
By: Investigative Teams - Kraudukra Free News & The Scope
In a collaborative effort, The Scope and Kraudukra Free News reporters have pieced together a detailed account of the tragic events that unfolded in Tatallap’s Central Plaza on the night of Jan. 2. Utilizing images and videos from the night, our investigative team has compiled a graphic representation, offering a comprehensive breakdown of the incident. As we piece together eyewitness accounts, photographs, and videos from that fateful night, a harrowing picture emerges of a city in chaos and a populace caught in the crossfire.
Central Plaza, stretching out in front of the Zhzoatal Provincial Capitol Building, is bordered by Tatallagaz Ave. to the south, River Ave. to the west, and Central Ave. to the east. By 9:15 pm, the Zhzoatal Provincial Militia strategically positioned its forces, closing off bridges and controlling access points, effectively restricting movement to the north of the city.
As the night progressed, demonstrators found themselves seemingly trapped within the plaza. By 10:12 pm, the Zhzoatal Provincial Militia declared the gathering an unlawful assembly, warning of legal penalties. The crowd, now estimated at around 35,500, faced law enforcement units on all potential exit routes, intensifying the tension.
At 11:34 pm, the first division of the Provincial Guard fired tear gas into the crowd. Simultaneously, police units pushed protestors into the southwest portion of the plaza. Authorities reported the arrest of 14,392 individuals by 11:41 pm, indicating a growing crackdown on dissent due to the controversial ID law that had just passed. The situation escalated when the third division of the Provincial Militia and Tatallap City Police launched at least 10 additional tear gas canisters into the crowd, exacerbating the tense atmosphere.
At 11:48 pm, additional tear gas was deployed, exacerbating an already tense situation. Video evidence and eyewitness testimony is thusly inconclusive about what prompted the Zhzoatal Provincial Militia to open fire. But around 11:51 pm, chaos ensued as the first shots rang out, followed by a rapid succession of gunfire approximately 9 seconds later. Forensic analysis from Krauanagaz University concluded that Provincial Militia units fired at least 48 rounds into the crowd, consistent with the general areas where casualties were reported and seen in photographic and video evidence. The video evidence, obtained and analyzed, clearly identifies the Provincial Militia’s involvement in the tragic incident.
The unprecedented act of concealing the entire area with white drapes further shrouds the incident in mystery.
After 11:58 pm, a shroud of mystery enveloped the scene as law enforcement swiftly evacuated the area. Attempts by journalists to document the area were thwarted, with Tatallap City Police restricting access to the entire plaza and surrounding areas. In the aftermath of the gunfire, 31 lives were lost, and another 302 suffered injuries due to gunfire or the resulting crowd surge. Attempts by KFN correspondents to document the area the following morning were thwarted by Tatallap City Police, citing an ongoing investigation. Unprecedented measures were taken as authorities concealed the entire area with white drapes, obstructing any view from the public or press.
As investigators delve deeper into the tragic events of that night, the joint effort by The Scope and Kraudukra Free News aims to unveil the truth behind the actions leading to the use of lethal force in Tatallap’s Central Plaza. The unfolding narrative paints a stark picture of a city grappling with the aftermath and raises questions about the transparency of the ongoing investigation.
Map of North Central Tatallap
Chronology of Events
9:15 PM
- Bridge Closures: Zhzoatal Provincial Militia closes Tatallap Bridge and all other bridges crossing the River Tatallagaz, restricting movement to the north of the city.
10:12 PM
- Deployment: The First division of the Zhzoatal Provincial Militia is deployed to the north section of the plaza, the third division to the southeast, and city and provincial police units on the southwest and west side.
11:30 PM
- Unlawful Assembly Declared: Zhzoatal Provincial Militia declares the gathering in Central Plaza an unlawful assembly, orders dispersal.
11:34 PM
- Tear Gas Deployment: Provincial Guard first division fires a volley of tear gas into the crowd, pushing protestors into the southwest portion of the plaza.
11:41 PM
- Arrests: Tatallap authorities report the arrest of 14,392 individuals in connection with the protests throughout the day, with 5,332 occurring within Central Plaza.
11:48 PM
- Additional Tear Gas: Third division of the Provincial Militia and Tatallap City Police fire at least 10 more tear gas canisters into the crowd.
11:51 PM
- Gunfire Erupts: The first shot is fired, followed by a rapid succession of gunfire. Krauanagaz University forensic video analysis estimates at least 48 rounds were fired into the crowd.
8. After 11:58 PM
- Aftermath: Law enforcement clears the area, and limited video and photograph evidence make it inconclusive regarding what prompted the Provincial Militia gunfire. Authorities swiftly blocked access to the plaza, concealing it with white drapes, ostensibly to prevent independent documentation.
As investigations continue, questions linger about the events leading up to the use of lethal force and the subsequent efforts to obscure the site. The collaborative inquiry by Kraudukra Free News and The Scope seeks to shed light on this dark chapter in Krauanagaz history, uncovering the truth behind the night of tragedy in Tatallap.