The National Citizen Party (NCP) will stage a rally and protest march in Faridpur on Thursday, marking the 17th day of its ongoing “July March to Rebuild the Nation” campaign. 

The event unfolded under heavy security following violent clashes in Gopalganj a day earlier that disrupted the party’s initial schedule and raised nationwide political tension.

Originally planned for 10:00am, the Faridpur programme has been rescheduled to 12:30pm due to Wednesday’s attack on NCP leaders and supporters in Gopalganj. 

Eyewitnesses and local party officials said leaders of the ruling Awami League and its affiliate organisations launched the assault during an NCP gathering, leaving central leaders besieged for hours.

The situation escalated to the point where the Bangladesh Army’s APCs (Armoured Personnel Carriers) had to be deployed to extract NCP leadership from the scene. 

Following the rescue, the party diverted its route and spent the night in Khulna instead of continuing to Faridpur as originally intended. As a result of the violence, the Madaripur leg of the march was suspended.

Thursday’s rally will begin with a protest march from Faridpur Circuit House to Janata Bank intersection, followed by a street assembly at the conclusion of the route. 

According to police sources, over 400 officers have been deployed to maintain law and order, supplemented by army personnel and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) patrols.

Following the Faridpur event, the NCP is expected to carry its campaign forward to the districts of Rajbari and Manikganj. 

SMS/