Bangladesh: Sheikh Hasina's hometown on boil after 4 killed in clashes at NCP rally, curfew clamped

At least four people have reportedly been killed following a violent clash that erupted at a National Citizens Party (NCP) rally in Gopalganj, Bangladesh. Dr Jibitesh Biswas, superintendent of Gopalganj General Hospital, confirmed the death of four people and mentioned that over 15 people have been injured following the clashes and are receiving treatment in the hospital. Out of the 15, three people were critically injured.

According to Bangladeshi news outlet The Dhaka Tribune, the four deceased have been identified as Dipto Saha, 25, son of Santosh Saha from Udayan Road in Gopalganj town; Ramzan Kazi, 18, from Harinahat village in Kotalipara upazila; Sohel Rana, 30, a resident of Miyapara area in the town; and Imon, 24, from Bherarhat Bazar in Gopalganj Sadar upazila.

On Wednesday, at 2:30 pm (local time), the convoy of NCP was attacked in Gopalganj, the hometown of Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. As per the report, the convoy came under attack while it was coming back after holding a rally.

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The incident took place in front of Gopalganj Government College at the launch ghat area of the town, The Dhaka Tribune reported. There were separate attacks before the rally even started at 1:30 pm (local time). The clash erupted on the stage of the rally at the municipal park area of Gopalganj town.

Curfew in place in Gopalganj

Soon after the clashes, District Commissioner Md Kamruzzaman imposed Section 144 across Gopalganj district. The restrictions were imposed from 8:00 pm (local time) on Wednesday to 6:00 pm (local time) today to bring the situation under control, The Daily Star reported.

In light of this, the HSC, Alim and HSC (Vocational) exams in the Gopalganj district have been postponed. The notices of the postponement were issued at 10:30 pm (local time) yesterday. Apart from Gopalganj, NCP held rallies in several other districts on Wednesday, including Chattogram and Noakhali, condemning the attack.

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Reeling through the aftermath of the attack, NCP Convener Nahid Islam demanded the arrest of the culprits at a press conference in Kulna. He claimed that the attacks were carried out to kill him, The Daily Star reported.

“After concluding our rally in Gopalganj, we were heading towards Madaripur when armed goons of the Awami League attacked our motorcade,” Nahid said. The NCP will now hold a rally in Faridpur today as part of its month-long programme.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’s press wing condemned the “utterly indefensible” attack on leaders and activists of the NCP and said it will not go unpunished. Political parties, including BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, also condemned the attack.