NCP Rally in Gopalganj Begins After Attack and Vandalism on Stage

Gopalganj, July 16, 2025 – The National Citizens Party (NCP) rally venue in Gopalganj was attacked and vandalized on Wednesday afternoon, prior to the start of the event. The incident occurred around 1:45 pm at the municipal park in Gopalganj town, where 200 to 300 individuals, identified as Awami League supporters, armed with sticks, attacked the rally site.

According to eyewitnesses, the attackers stormed the venue, vandalizing chairs and tearing down banners. During the incident, police personnel stationed near the stage quickly retreated to the court premises, while NCP leaders and activists fled the scene. The situation escalated until Gopalganj District Superintendent of Police, Md. Mizanur Rahman, arrived at the site. Supported by police and NCP activists, the attackers were chased away.

By 2:05 pm, NCP leaders, including Convener Nahid Islam, Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain, Chief Organizer (South Region) Hasnat Abdullah, and Chief Organizer (North Region) Sarjis Alam, arrived at the venue. As of 2:15 pm, when this report was filed, they were addressing the rally from the stage. The attack on the rally stage followed earlier incidents in Gopalganj centered around NCP’s program. Around 9:30 am, a police vehicle was set on fire and vandalized in the Khatiagor Charpara area along the Ulpur-Durgapur road in Sadar Upazila, leaving three police officers injured. Later, at around 11:30 am, the vehicle of Gopalganj Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) M Rokibul Hasan was attacked in the Kansur area along the Gopalganj-Tekerhat road, injuring his driver, Mohammad Hamim. UNO M Rokibul Hasan told Prothom Alo, “After learning about the attack on the police vehicle during NCP’s march, I went to inspect the area. On my way back, a group of people attacked our vehicle in Kansur. My driver, Mohammad Hamim, was injured.”

The NCP has been conducting its “July March to Build the Nation” campaign since July 1, holding marches and rallies in several districts across Bangladesh. The Gopalganj event, announced on Tuesday via the party’s verified Facebook page as the “March to Gopalganj,” is part of this month-long program. Despite the violent disruptions, the NCP proceeded with the rally, with heightened security measures, including the deployment of army personnel and armored vehicles, to maintain order in the district.