United News of Bangladesh

The government may exhume the bodies of five people killed during clashes at a National Citizen Party (NCP) rally in Gopalganj for post-mortems, if deemed necessary, said Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Saturday. Talking to journalists after inspecting the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the capital, the adviser said, “The families of the deceased did not wish to have post-mortems carried out, which is why that was not done. However, if the government considers it necessary, there is still an opportunity to perform the autopsies.” He said the entire incident in Gopalganj was broadcast live by the media, leaving little room for concealment. “Everything happened in front of everyone.” In response to questions about who was responsible for the deadly clash, the adviser stated that a high-level investigation committee has already been formed. “The committee’s report will reveal the actual reasons behind the incident,” he said. Regarding the airport terminal visit, the adviser said that once fully operational, the third terminal will significantly ease passenger congestion and improve services. Govt doing everything lawfully in Gopalganj: Press Secretary Jahangir Alam said the Ministry of Home Affairs is fully prepared to make the terminal’s immigration services functional, with around 400 personnel expected to be deployed. Asked about the inauguration of the terminal, the adviser said, “That matter falls under another ministry. However, everything that falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Home Affairs has been fully prepared.” Curfew relaxed for 14 hours in Gopalganj

At least four people were killed and over 50 others, including police personnel and journalists, were injured in violent clashes during a National Citizen Party (NCP) rally in Gopalganj on Wednesday, prompting a curfew and deployment of joint forces to restore order. The rally, held under the banner ‘March to Gopalganj’ as part of the NCP’s month-long nationwide programme titled ‘July March to Build the Nation’, was scheduled to begin at 11:00 am at the Gopalganj Municipal Open Stage. Chronology According to a police report on Gopalgonj violence, law enforcement had been deployed from early Wednesday morning to ensure security. The trouble began around 9:30 am when members of the banned Chhatra League, Awami League and its affiliated wings reportedly attacked on-duty police officers in Ulpur, Gopalganj Sadar, setting police vehicles ablaze and injuring one inspector and two others. At around 11:00 am, a the Kansur Bus Stand on the Gopalganj-Tekerhat road, 40–50 activists allegedly led by Md Omar Faruk Khan Ripon, Joint Convener of the banned Chhatra League’s Gopalganj Municipality unit, blocked the road by felling trees and lighting fires. The vehicle of the Gopalganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) was vandalised at the scene. Simultaneously, reports emerged of further blockades and violence. Gopalganj curfew to continue until further order with 3-hr break on Friday In Kotalipara at around 11:30 am, around 2,800–3,000 Awami League supporters led by Shamim Daria (General Secretary, Kotalipara Upazila Chhatra League) obstructed the Kotalipara–Poysar Haat road, while at around 11:40 am, 200–300 Awami League supporters, allegedly led by Mamun of the banned Chhatra League’s Gopalganj Municipality unit, gathered in the Kathi Bazar area of Gopalganj Sadar, using local weapons to block roads. At around 1:40 pm, as NCP central leaders were arriving at the venue, 50–60 armed attackers shouting slogans reportedly affiliated with the banned Chhatra League stormed the stage using crude bombs and sharp weapons. Despite the assault, NCP leaders, including Convenor Nahid Islam, proceeded with the rally at 2:01 pm. Further violence broke out at 2:15 pm in Satpara Bazar, where two more crude bombs were exploded and two motorcycles set on fire in the Satpara Bazar area of Gopalganj Sadar. Roads were blocked, and fires were lit at multiple locations. The rally concluded at around 2:50 pm, attended by around 200 people. However, the NCP motorcade of Nahid Islam and leaders, left the venue under police and army escort en route to Madaripur, was intercepted near the Gopalganj Launch Terminal at around 3:00 pm. The attackers used sharp weapons and pelted stones and bricks at law enforcers and NCP leaders. Government property, including the Gopalganj District Jail, was also attacked. 25 arrested over Gopalganj violence, crackdown to continue: Home Adviser In the ensuing violence, four people were killed and over 50 injured, including 45 police personnel and several journalists. NCP leaders were escorted to safety at the Gopalganj Superintendent of Police’s office and later departed for Khulna at 4:58 pm with support from joint forces. At around 7:30 pm, a group of unidentified people forcibly took away the bodies of the deceased from Gopalganj District Hospital, obstructing post-mortem procedures. Police have arrested 20 individuals suspected of involvement. A total of 1,507 police personnel, along with Army and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) troops, have been deployed in the district. A curfew has been imposed until 6:00 PM Thursday. Authorities have confirmed that the situation is currently under control.

At least three people were killed and several others injured in clashes between police and activists of Awami League and its associate bodies over a rally of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP) in Gopalganj on Wednesday afternoon. Among the deceased, two were identified as Dipto Saha, 25, son of Santosh Saha from Udayan Road in Gopalganj town, and Ramzan Kazi, 18, from Kotalipara upazila. Dr Jibitesh Biswas, deputy director Gopalganj General Hospital, said they were brought dead at the hospital. The bodies of the deceased bore visible injury marks, and the death toll could rise further, he added. Amid heightening tensions over the clashes, the government imposed curfew in the district.The curfew will remain in force from 8am on Wednesday to 6pm on Thursday, according to the Chief Adviser’s press wing. Supporters of the AL, banned BCL and other associate bodies, equipped with sticks and brickbats took positions at different streets and lanes, prompting Rab, army and BGB teams to intensify their patrol in the city. Earlier, the local administration slapped Section-144 in Gopalganj Sadar.

The interim government on Wednesday said the use of violence in Gopalganj is ‘utterly indefensible’ and those responsible for this brutality will face justice. “Let it be made absolutely clear: violence has no place in our nation. Justice must and will prevail,” said the interim government in a statement on the attacks on a peaceful NCP rally in Gopalganj. The government said preventing young citizens from peacefully holding a rally to commemorate the one-year anniversary of their revolutionary movement is a ‘shameful violation’ of their fundamental rights. Section-144 in Gopalganj Sadar as tension escalates Members of the National Citizen Party (NCP), police and media were subjected to brutal attacks, with their cars vandalised and individuals violently assaulted, the government said in a statement shared by Chief Adviser’s press wing. This heinous act—allegedly carried out by members of the banned Awami League’s Chhatra League and AL activists —will not go unpunished, it said. Fakhrul slams attack on NCP rally, urges stern action against perpetrators “The perpetrators must be swiftly identified and held fully accountable. There is no place for such violence against any citizen of Bangladesh,” said the interim government. The government commended the Army and police for their prompt intervention, and applauded the resilience and courage of the students and people who carried on with their rally despite these malicious threats.

A group of students, led by National Citizens Party (NCP) leaders, gathered in front of the Chief Adviser's residence, Jamuna, on Wednesday night demanding a political ban on the Awami League. The demonstration began around 10pm under the leadership of Hasnat Abdullah, Chief Organiser of NCP’s Southern Region.  Protesters chanted slogans calling for the trial of Awami League leaders and the party’s complete ban from politics. Won’t leave streets until AL’s registration is cancelled, political activities banned: Nahid  Earlier, Hasnat Abdullah had announced the sit-in programme through a Facebook post, stating that they would remain in front of Jamuna until a clear roadmap is declared for the trial, deregistration and banning of the Awami League’s political activities. In a separate post, NCP Convener Nahid Islam said the party’s (AL's) fate would be decided by tonight.  He expressed frustration over what he called "delays in bringing the ruling party to justice" and criticised the lack of decisive action toward its deregistration and ban. Fakhrul doubts quick restoration of democracy amid ‘complicated’ situation Nahid also urged all political forces, as well as the families of martyrs and the injured, to take to the streets and continue protesting until justice is achieved.

Dhaka Metropolitan unit of the National Citizen Party (NCP) staged a protest rally on Saturday afternoon demanding the cancellation of Awami League’s registration and its trial. Party leaders and activists gathered in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh at 3 pm, chanting slogans. NCP member secretary Akhter Hossen, chief organiser for the southern region Hasnat Abdullah, were also present. The protest aims to call for the trial of Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League over allegations of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and genocide, along with the cancellation of the party’s registration and a ban on its political and organisational activities. Ban Awami League in 48 hours: ‘July Warriors’ Meanwhile, "July Warriors", a forum formed by the families of the martyrs and injured victims of the July uprising, on Saturday gave the interim government 48 hours to ban Awami League. They issued the ultimatum from a protest rally held at the Raju Sharok Bhaskarjya on the Dhaka University campus. Several organisations and students from Dhaka University also staged a rally on Saturday, demanding a ban on the Awami League.