Section 144 Imposed in Gopalganj

ছবিঃ সংগৃহীত

News Desk: Immediately after the National Citizen Party (NCP) concluded its rally in Gopalganj, activists of the banned Awami League and its student wing Chhatra League launched a coordinated attack on the party’s motorcade and its leaders and supporters. The attackers surrounded NCP members and police vehicles from all sides, creating a volatile situation.

In response, police and army personnel fired sound grenades and blank rounds in an attempt to bring the situation under control. The NCP leaders eventually rerouted their vehicles and left the scene safely.

The incident took place around 2:45 PM on Wednesday (July 16) at the Municipal Park in Gopalganj town.

Following the unrest, Gopalganj’s Deputy Commissioner Md. Kamruzzaman imposed Section 144 throughout the district. A district executive magistrate confirmed this development to the media.

Meanwhile, NCP’s Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari told journalists that the attack was carried out by Awami League and Chhatra League activists. He also accused police and military personnel of playing a passive role during the attack. “We were assured that everything was under control. But when we arrived at the rally site, it was clear the situation was anything but normal,” he said.

Earlier, around 1:45 PM, a group of 200 to 300 individuals armed with sticks and batons approached the NCP rally venue. At that moment, police officers positioned near the stage quickly withdrew into the nearby court premises. Simultaneously, NCP leaders and activists tried to resist the oncoming attackers.

According to NCP members, the assailants were all supporters of the Awami League. During the chaos, the attackers vandalized chairs on the stage, tore down banners, and created havoc. At one point, Superintendent of Police Md. Mizanur Rahman arrived at the scene. With joint efforts from police and NCP supporters, the attackers were chased away. The rally then resumed peacefully under tight security.