At least four people were killed during violent clashes between law enforcers and alleged Awami League and banned Chattra League men over the National Citizen Party’s (NCP) rally in Gopalganj on Wednesday (July 16).
The deceased were identified as Imon Talukder, 18, from Bherarbazar area; Ramzan Kazi, 22, from Thanapara; Sohel Mollah (35), son of Idris Mollah of Tungipara, and Dipto Saha, 25, from Udayan Road in the district town. Dr Sheikh Md Nabil of Gopalganj 250-Bed General Hospital confirmed to reporters that all three had gunshot wounds.
According to witnesses, the violence erupted around 2:45pm when NCP supporters were returning from the rally venue.
Witnesses said a group of Awami League and banned Chhatra League activists allegedly blocked the road and attacked the motorcade. The situation quickly escalated, turning parts of Gopalganj town into what residents described as a battlefield.
Police imposed Section 144 and announced a curfew from the evening until 8pm to restore order. Despite efforts by law enforcement, including the use of blank gunfire, sporadic clashes continued as of the filing of this report. Army personnel were deployed on the streets by late afternoon.
Journalists were also targeted during the unrest. The Gopalganj District Reporters Forum office was attacked, leaving several media workers injured. Among them were Mozammel Hossain Munna, a senior staff reporter with Jamuna TV, and Subrata Saha Bapis of DBC Television. They and others wounded were taken to Gopalganj Sadar Hospital. The exact number of casualties remained unclear.
Earlier in the day, clashes broke out when a police vehicle and the Upazila Nirbahi Officer’s convoy were set on fire. Later, the NCP rally platform was vandalised and chairs were burned.
According to reports, NCP leaders later took shelter at the office of the Superintendent of Police. Road links out of Gopalganj were blocked with tree logs by Awami League and Chhatra League activists.
The NCP had scheduled the event as part of a month-long series of processions across Bangladesh. The rally proceeded in the afternoon despite earlier attacks but ended in widespread violence that continued into the evening.
MSK/
