A curfew has been enforced in Gopalganj following violent political clashes that left at least three people dead and many others wounded. (Also read: NCP Demands Arrests After Deadly Gopalganj Rally Attack)
Tuesday’s violence ignited after supporters of the banned Awami League reportedly swarmed the convoy of National Citizen Party (NCP) leaders as they left a rally.
The clashes turned deadly, leaving three young men dead: Deepto Saha, 25; Ramzan Kazi, 18; and Imon Talukder, 18. Doctors said all three had been shot and were dead by the time they arrived at the hospital. Another nine people are now in surgery.
To stop the violence, the government has locked down the city. A curfew is in effect from 8pm Tuesday until 6pm Wednesday, with residents ordered to stay home except for life-or-death emergencies.
Tension had been building since Monday ahead of the NCP’s planned rally to mark the anniversary of last year’s protest movement.
Violence erupted early Tuesday when a police vehicle was torched before the rally began. Later, a vehicle belonging to a local official was also attacked.
The rally descended into chaos around 1:30 PM, when supporters of the banned Awami League and Chhatra League reportedly stormed the stage, chanting “Joy Bangla.”
According to people who were there, chairs and equipment were thrown onto a bonfire. Then the shooting started. Smoke and flames filled the air near Municipal Park.
Later in the day, as the NCP convoy moved toward Madaripur under police protection, it came under attack again near Gopalganj Government College.
NCP activists scattered. Party leaders eventually took refuge at the office of the Superintendent of Police.
Even with sound grenades and tear gas, the crowd didn’t back down. Near Chowrangee, bricks flew, and police faced off against people swinging sticks.
Shops across Gopalganj closed their doors. Streets emptied. Fear took hold.
The government condemned the attacks. In a statement, officials called the violence “absolutely inexcusable” and said those responsible will be brought to justice.
“Let it be made absolutely clear — violence has no place in our nation,” the statement read.
Officials also criticized efforts to stop the NCP rally, describing it as a “shameful violation” of basic rights.
LGRD Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain said extra police and military personnel had been deployed, with senior officials overseeing operations from the control room.
The situation in Gopalganj remains tense. But officials say efforts are underway to restore order.
