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Dhaka, July 18, 2025: Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md. Ashraful Huda stated that the Gopalganj incident could have been prevented if intelligence agencies had been more vigilant.
He attributed the incident to intelligence failure and claimed that conspiracies are underway to delay the national election by rehabilitating the ousted Prime Minister, undermining the spirit of the July uprising. Speaking as the chief guest at a shadow parliament organized by Debate for Democracy at the FDC in Dhaka on Friday, July 18, 2025, Huda emphasized that the Gopalganj incident is a manifestation of such conspiracies.
He further noted that if the police are allowed to perform their duties without interference, a national election could be held by December. Regarding the Sohag murder case, Huda expressed regret over the police's delayed response, which only became active two days after the incident went viral. He called for a thorough investigation into any police negligence in this matter. Huda also alleged that certain groups are orchestrating mob violence to create anarchy and gain political advantage by falsely blaming the BNP.
The event, titled “What Needs to Be Done to Prevent Mob Violence,” was chaired by Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron, Chairman of Debate for Democracy. In his address, Kiron described mob violence as a new menace in national life, turning the country into a "mob-dominated land." He labeled mob culture as a cancer in society that tarnishes the journey toward democracy. Kiron warned that unchecked mob violence would create widespread fear in public spaces, including offices, courts, roads, bus terminals, and railway stations, potentially damaging Bangladesh’s international reputation and leading to its classification as a failed state. He highlighted that mob violence could deter foreign and domestic investment.
Kiron traced the roots of mob violence to the 1/11 period, when public lynchings began, and noted that such acts, including a brutal murder in Paltan in broad daylight, remain unpunished. He condemned mob violence orchestrated for extortion, occupation, and looting in the wake of the July uprising, as well as during the previous fascist regime. Kiron stressed that mob justice is victimizing people from all walks of life—politicians, bureaucrats, lawyers, teachers, doctors, and others. He also criticized actions like destroying shrines, banning Baul songs, and questioning the national anthem, stating that failure to control mob violence would render the July uprising futile.
