Authorities withdraw Section 144 in Gopalganj four days after violence

Authorities say law enforcement raids to arrest attackers will continue

The Gopalganj district administration has withdrawn emergency public safety measures, ending Section 144 banning all gatherings after lifting curfew in the morning, four days after violence prompted the decision.

The development was announced in a statement signed by Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Kamruzzaman at 7:30pm on Sunday.

“From 8pm Sunday, Section 144 and curfew will no longer be in effect in Gopalganj. The situation is under review and more instructions will follow,” it read.

However, operations by security forces to arrest perpetrators of last week’s clashes will continue, the statement said.

Violence erupted on Wednesday during an NCP rally when alleged Awami League supporters clashed with police and Army personnel, leaving four people dead, nine with gunshot wounds, and over 50 injured. Another succumbed to injuries a day later in Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

To restore order, Section 144 was imposed on Wednesday, followed by curfew from 8pm that night to 6pm Thursday. It was extended several times, including on Friday and Saturday, with short breaks to allow movement.

The final curfew period ended on Sunday morning.