What was meant to be a rally commemorating last year’s July uprising turned into a scene of bloodshed in Gopalganj on Wednesday. (Also read: 25 Arrested Following Deadly Gopalganj Rally Clashes, Curfew in Effect)
Violent clashes during the National Citizen Party’s (NCP) march left at least four dead and over 50 wounded. The grim tally was confirmed in a police report the next day. The rally was part of the NCP’s “March to Rebuild the Nation,” a campaign that has now been marked by fresh violence.
The police report, issued by the CA Press Wing, stated that the conflict began around 9:30 a.m. in the Ulpur area. There, alleged members of the now-banned Bangladesh Awami League and its affiliated wings attacked on-duty officers and torched police vehicles. One police inspector and two officers were injured.
By 11 a.m., the district saw several acts of sabotage. Protesters blocked roads with fallen trees, set logs on fire, and damaged vehicles. In Kansur Bus Stand, about 50 activists led by a local Chhatra League figure blocked roads and targeted the Gopalganj UNO’s car.
In Kotalipara, roughly 3,000 people gathered in procession with improvised weapons. Within an hour, other roadblocks formed in Kathi Bazar, further stalling movement across the region.
Before NCP leaders arrived at the rally venue, the stage itself was attacked. Around 1:40 p.m., 50 to 60 individuals stormed in, allegedly shouting “Joy Bangla” and hurling crude bombs. Banners and chairs were destroyed. Armed assault followed.
Despite this, the rally proceeded. NCP Convener Nahid Islam took the stage at 2:01 p.m. The event ended at 2:50 p.m., and party leaders began their departure under joint police and military escort.
But the unrest didn’t stop there.
Around 3 p.m., near the Gopalganj launch terminal, their convoy was attacked again. Protesters clashed with both police and army personnel. Stones were thrown. Violence spread. Government facilities, including the district jail, were also targeted, the report said.
The NCP leadership was moved to the superintendent of police’s office for safety. They were escorted out of the district by 4:58 p.m., traveling toward Khulna through Bagerhat.
Later that evening, an angry mob reportedly seized the bodies of the deceased from the district hospital before autopsies could be completed.
Twenty people have been arrested so far. To regain control, authorities deployed 1,507 police officers, along with Border Guard Bangladesh and Army personnel. A curfew was enforced, lasting until 6 p.m. on Thursday, with a two-hour break between noon and 2 p.m.
Officials say Gopalganj is calm again. But no one’s really sure what caused the violence to escalate so fast—or if this is truly over.
