Gopalganj Turns Into a Battleground

ছবিঃ সংগৃহীত

News Desk: Gopalganj descended into chaos as central leaders and activists of the National Citizen Party (NCP) came under attack while returning from a rally. Members of the banned Awami League and its student wing, Chhatra League, reportedly launched the assault on the party’s motorcade. As police intervened to prevent the attack, violent clashes erupted between the two sides, transforming the area into a battlefield.

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

Eyewitness accounts from the ground reveal that the attackers hurled bricks and stones at the NCP convoy and vandalized several vehicles. In an effort to control the escalating violence, police and army personnel fired rubber bullets and tear gas shells. Eventually, the forces retreated with NCP leaders to ensure their safety.

At the time of reporting, the clashes were still ongoing.

Earlier in the day, tensions had already begun to rise. Supporters of the banned Chhatra League set fire to a police vehicle in Gopalganj Sadar and later attacked the vehicle of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO).

Confirming the incident, Sadar UNO M. Rakibul Hasan stated, “To disrupt NCP’s rally, supporters of the banned Awami League and Chhatra League attacked and vandalized my vehicle in the Gandhiashur area of the Sadar Upazila.”

NCP’s Chief Coordinator, Nasiruddin Patwari, also spoke to the press, accusing Awami League activists of orchestrating the attack.