Govt to impose curfew in Gopalganj again from 8pm Saturday

The decision follows a 14-hour break from the administrative move

Authorities will bring back curfew in violence-hit Gopalganj from 8pm until 6am Sunday after a 14-hour break following clashes surrounding an NCP rally.

Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Kamruzzaman announced the development on Saturday through a media statement from his office.

On Wednesday night, the curfew came in response to violent clashes that erupted during a rally by the Nationalist Citizen Party as part of the ongoing July March.

The gathering came under attack by Awami League activists, leading to back-and-forth chases with law enforcement as the town descended into chaos for nearly five hours.

At least four people were killed on the day, and a rickshawpuller, who received gunshot wounds during the clashes, succumbed to his wounds on Thursday night.

During the unrest, several senior NCP leaders were trapped inside the police superintendent’s office and had to be escorted out of Gopalganj in an Army vehicle.

Initially, the district magistrate imposed Section 144, banning public gatherings and assemblies. A full curfew followed from 6pm Wednesday to 6pm Thursday, which the authorities later extended indefinitely.

The home ministry on Friday announced a brief three-hour suspension of curfew, from 11am to 2pm, but said the measure would otherwise remain in place until further notice.

Despite Saturday's relaxation, public movement in Gopalganj town remained minimal.