NN Online:
Gopalganj has come to a standstill under curfew following a day of deadly violence surrounding the National Citizen Party’s (NCP) rally and procession on Wednesday.
Joint security forces have detained 14 individuals suspected of involvement in the clashes, according to Mir Md Sajedur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Gopalganj Sadar Police Station. The detainees were later handed over to the police, though no cases had been filed as of Thursday morning.
As the curfew took effect Wednesday night, the usually busy town fell eerily silent. By Thursday morning, the streets were deserted, shops remained shuttered, and markets empty. Residents largely stayed indoors, only venturing out when absolutely necessary.
Despite the heightened tension, there was no visible police patrol in the town, though security forces were seen guarding the district jail.
The unrest erupted during the NCP’s “March to Gopalganj” rally, part of its nationwide “July March” campaign. Trouble began before the rally officially started at the municipal park, with roads being blocked, a police vehicle set ablaze, and an attack on the Upazila Nirbahi Officer’s car.
Violence escalated further after central NCP leaders arrived, prompting the deployment of armoured vehicles, four platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh, and Army units to contain the situation.
By afternoon, the NCP rally venue came under direct assault around 1:30pm. According to party members, attackers affiliated with the banned Awami League and its student front, Bangladesh Chhatra League, stormed the site chanting “Joy Bangla” before launching the attack.
Following a brief resumption of the rally, NCP leaders attempted to leave Gopalganj for Madaripur under police and military escort. But near Gopalganj Government College around 2:45pm, their convoy was attacked again in the Launch Ghat area, sparking clashes between the assailants and law enforcement personnel.
Throughout the day, Gopalganj was rocked by explosions, arson, and gunfire. The sound of homemade bombs, tear gas shells, and stun grenades echoed through the town as chaos unfolded.
Four bodies were later brought to Gopalganj 250-Bed General Hospital. At least 15 others were injured, with three in critical condition transferred to Dhaka for advanced treatment.
In response to the spiraling violence, local authorities first imposed Section 144 in the afternoon to ban public gatherings. As unrest persisted, a full curfew was declared in the evening.
By nightfall, Gopalganj had become a ghost town. Apart from a few rickshaws, all vehicular movement ceased and businesses stayed closed. Even then, law enforcement presence on the streets remained minimal, with no major patrols or show of force visible overnight.
