Gopalganj Turns into Battleground: NCP Leaders Trapped, Section 144 Imposed, BGB Deployed

Gopalganj descended into chaos following an attack on the National Citizen Party’s (NCP) march after their rally, leading to the imposition of Section 144 by the district administration. Four platoons of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed to control the situation. NCP central leaders, including Nahid Islam, Hasnat Abdullah, and Sarjis Alam, have taken refuge in the Gopalganj Circuit House and the District Police Superintendent’s office after being besieged by attackers.

The attack occurred around 3:30 PM on Wednesday (July 16), when a group of armed individuals, allegedly from the banned Awami League, Jubo League, and Chhatra League, surrounded and attacked NCP leaders and activists. The assailants blocked NCP members and police vehicles from all sides, prompting law enforcement to fire sound grenades and blank rounds to disperse the crowd. NCP leaders managed to escape by redirecting their convoy.

NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patowari told journalists, “As we were leaving, Awami League and Jubo League members from villages and across the country attacked us. We are now confined in one place. The administration assured us the situation was under control, but the police, administration, and army have remained completely inactive.”

Earlier, the NCP rally venue at Pouro Park was attacked, with sound systems, microphones, and chairs vandalized, and cocktail explosions reported. NCP leaders blamed the banned Chhatra League for the assault. The attack took place around 1:30 PM, confirmed by Gopalganj Sadar Thana Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mir Md. Sajedur Rahman. Despite the violence, NCP leaders, including Nahid Islam, continued their speeches at the rally site NCP Convener Nahid Islam stated, “The attacks and vandalism at the rally site will be answered.” Sarjis Alam, a key NCP organizer, vowed, “If I return alive, I will ensure the end of Mujibbad.” The violence escalated throughout the day, with earlier incidents including an attack on the Upazila Nirbahi Officer’s (UNO) motorcade, vandalism, and arson of a police vehicle, injuring three police personnel. The army detained seven individuals involved in the sabotage and attacks, though their identities remain undisclosed. Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) have been deployed on the Gopalganj-Kotalipara, Gopalganj-Tekerhat, and Tungipara roads to restore order. The rally stage was set on fire after vandalism, and clashes spread across the city. The administration imposed Section 144 to curb further unrest, and the army, alongside police and BGB, is working to stabilize the situation.

The NCP’s month-long “July March to Build the Nation” program, part of the “March to Gopalganj” initiative, has been met with resistance in Gopalganj, a stronghold of the ousted Awami League and home to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s mausoleum. The party announced the program on social media on Tuesday (July 15), sparking tensions.