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Published : 17 Jul 2025, 02:53 AM
At least four people have been killed and several others injured in a daylong eruption of violence surrounding the National Citizen Party's (NCP) "March to Gopalganj" rally, prompting the imposition of Section 144 in the afternoon and an overnight curfew to bring the town under control.
The city remained tense into the night after hours of attacks, counter-attacks, clashes with police, arson, and gunfire disrupted the party's scheduled rally at the municipal park on Wednesday.
Security forces, including four Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) platoons and armoured military vehicles, were deployed to restore order.
Before the NCP leaders arrived at the venue, a police vehicle was torched, and an attack was carried out on the car of the Upazila Nirbahi (executive) Officer (UNO). The party's top leaders were later escorted out of the town in armoured vehicles amid intensifying violence.
NCP leaders accused "fascist Mujib loyalists" of orchestrating the attacks on their nationwide July movement, and in particular the Gopalganj rally.
Clashes reportedly began in the morning in Ulanpur and Tekerhat, escalating into a large-scale attack on the rally stage by 1:30pm.
Shortly after the NCP tried to proceed to Madaripur under police and Army escort, fresh attacks erupted at the launch terminal area. Witnesses and videos captured hours of unrest across the town, where sounds of crude bombs, sound grenades, and tear gas filled the air.
In response to the escalating violence, most shops across Gopalganj shut down, and people stayed off the streets. With local administration failing to contain the situation, Section 144 was imposed, banning all gatherings and assemblies, in the afternoon, followed by a curfew starting at 8pm.
Four bodies were brought to the 250-bed Gopalganj General Hospital, and 15 others were injured, with three in critical condition transferred to Dhaka. NCP Convenor Nahid Islam announced protests across the country and demanded arrests within 24 hours.
‘MARCH TO GOPALGANJ’
The NCP launched its "March of July to Build the Nation" on Jul 1 and had already held processions in multiple districts. As part of the campaign, the Gopalganj rally was scheduled for 11am on Wednesday.
On Tuesday night, northern region organiser Sarjis Alam posted an announcement titled “March to Gopalganj”. Arches were set up across the city to welcome NCP leaders, and social media buzzed with both promotional and provocative content. The anticipation led to early tension and fear.
By Wednesday morning, police were seen patrolling the town amid tight security.
POLICE VEHICLE SET ABLAZE
Before the NCP leaders reached Gopalganj, a police vehicle in Ulanpur was attacked and set on fire.
Gopalganj Sadar police chief Mir Mohammad Sajedur Rahman alleged that supporters of outlawed group Bangladesh Chhatra League, loyal to district general secretary Ataur Rahman Pial, were behind the attack aimed at foiling the rally.
ATTACK ON UNO’S CAR
Soon after the police vehicle was torched, another attack targeted the car of UNO M Rakibul Hasan. The official said locals had blocked the Tekerhat road around 11am, and when he arrived to resolve the issue, the mob turned on his vehicle, injuring his driver, Moin.
Elsewhere, demonstrators staged processions and blocked roads on the Gopalganj-Kotalipara Highway. In response, Army personnel stationed armoured vehicles at the entrance of the Mausoleum of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to prevent unrest.
RALLY STAGE ATTACKED
Despite the unrest, NCP leaders entered Gopalganj around 2pm in a 10-vehicle convoy and went directly to the municipal park where the rally stage was set.
Earlier, around 1:30pm, hundreds of people had stormed the venue with sticks, vandalising chairs and tearing banners. Police reportedly moved toward the nearby court complex, leaving the attackers unchallenged.
Later, police returned, and with support from NCP activists, managed to drive the attackers away. NCP leaders then mounted the stage.
Party activists accused banned groups, Awami League and Chhatra League, of leading the attack with slogans of "Joy Bangla."
‘MUJIB LOYALISTS TRIED TO STOP US’'
Addressing the rally under police protection, NCP Convenor Nahid Islam said: "The Mujib loyalists tried to stop us today. We said before -- if they stop us, there will be a fight. And we will win that fight."
"They tried to obstruct us today. We will respond soon, God willing."
CONVOY AMBUSHED
As the NCP leaders began their journey toward Madaripur under police and Army escort, their convoy came under attack near the government college at the launch terminal area around 2:45pm.
Witnesses said hundreds of people had gathered in advance and launched an assault with sticks. Rally materials, like chairs, were set on fire on the road. Gunshots and plumes of smoke were seen. Security forces pushed attackers back toward the Chowrangi intersection using tear gas.
NCP Secretary Akhtar Hossain wrote on Facebook, "Awami League militants have attacked us in Gopalganj. They’re firing and using explosives. Rise in resistance across the country."
Sarjis added: "Hasina’s killers have attacked us. Police are watching like spectators. If we survive, we’ll bury Mujibism. If not, we won’t return."
"People of the nation, come to Gopalganj. Awaken, students and citizens of Gopalganj. Today is the day to bury the collaborators."
LEADERS ESCORTED IN ARMOURED VEHICLES
Following the attack, members of the police and other law enforcers diverted the NCP leaders’ motorcade and took them to the office of the Gopalganj district police superintendent, where they remained until 5pm.
Later, they were escorted out of the premises in armoured Army vehicles.
A video showing NCP leaders boarding the armoured vehicles from the office premises has been widely circulated on social media.
In the 1-minute, 5-second video, NCP leader Sarjis is seen stepping out of one of the armoured vehicles before re-entering it with Hasnat.
Army personnel nearby assist them as they climb into the vehicle. Once both Sarjis and Hasnat are inside, another leader, Akhtar, approaches.
He, however, is not placed in the same vehicle but is instead moved to a nearby one.
Another video also shows Nahid boarding a similar armoured vehicle.
Later, Additional Inspector General (Crime) Khandaker Rafiqul Islam said: “The NCP leaders and activists were stuck at the Gopalganj SP office. They left once the area was cleared shortly after 5pm.”
SECTION 144, CURFEW
Amid the attacks on the NCP motorcade and ensuing clashes, a group also vandalised the residence of the Gopalganj deputy commissioner located nearby.
Shortly afterwards, an attack took place at the Gopalganj District Jail compound and entrance, leaving several prison guards injured.
No statement on these incidents was issued by either the district administration or police.
Amid the worsening situation, the district administration imposed Section 144 in the afternoon, banning public gatherings.
Later in the evening, the Chief Advisor’s Office (CAO) announced that a curfew would be enforced in Gopalganj from 8pm Wednesday to 6pm Thursday.
FOUR BODIES TAKEN TO HOSPITAL
Four people have reportedly been killed in attacks, running battles, arson, and gunfire incidents in Gopalganj.
Jibitesh Biswas, superintendent of Gopalganj General Hospital, told bdnews24.com at 8pm on Wednesday: “We have received four bodies here.”
The dead have been identified as Dipto Saha, 30, Rozman Kazi, 19, Sohel Rana, 35, and Emon, identified with a single name.
Earlier around 7.30pm, Additional Inspector General (Crime) Khandaker Rafiqul Islam said he had confirmed three deaths, but warned the toll could rise.
The violence, which continued for more than four hours from the afternoon, has left many people injured.
Of those, 15 have been admitted to Gopalganj General Hospital, while three in serious condition have been transferred to Dhaka.
Despite the casualties, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam claimed that he did not believe police had used lethal force.
When contacted by bdnews24.com on Wednesday night, the IGP said he had no “official” confirmation of the four reported deaths.
Asked how many had died, he said: “The official update hasn’t come yet.”
When asked about whose bullets may have caused the deaths, Baharul said: “We can’t confirm that until we receive official findings.”
On whether the situation had stabilised after the day-long violence, he said: “We are trying to restore normalcy. Since curfew is in place, we wouldn’t call it normal. The curfew is being enforced.”
[Writing in English by Syed Mahmud Onindo and Sheikh Fariha Bristy]
