Probe finds both Awami League, NCP responsible for Gopalganj clash: Report
According to the report, provocation, rumours, the uncompromising stance of both sides and delayed administrative decisions, despite intelligence information and the evolving ground reality, made the Gopalganj conflict inevitable.
A judicial inquiry has found that both the National Citizen Party (NCP) and local Awami League leaders, activists and their supporters were responsible for the violence surrounding an NCP rally in Gopalganj in July, reports BBC Bangla.
According to the report, provocation, rumours, the uncompromising stance of both sides and delayed administrative decisions, despite intelligence information and the evolving ground reality, made the Gopalganj conflict inevitable.
Sazzad Siddiqui, a member of the government-formed inquiry commission, told BBC Bangla that the report includes eight to 10 recommendations and outlines five specific measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
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However, the commission did not investigate how and whose bullets caused the deaths of five people, as that issue was not included in its terms of reference (ToR).
On 16 July this year, five people were killed in shootings during a large-scale clash over an NCP rally in Gopalganj.
Following the incident, the government formed a six-member inquiry commission headed by a former judge to identify the causes, determine responsibility and make recommendations to prevent a recurrence.
The NCP was adamant about holding its rally, while locals, influenced by a kind of tribal loyalty and unwilling to accept the post-5 August political reality, were equally determined to resist it.
The commission submitted its report to the Ministry of Home Affairs at the end of September, though the government has yet to make it public.
Sazzad Siddiqui, associate professor and acting chair of the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies at Dhaka University and a member of the inquiry commission, discussed the findings with BBC Bangla.
Causes of the clash
According to the report, tensions began when the NCP's planned countrywide rallies were rebranded locally as a "March to Gopalganj."
Sazzad said the NCP's decision to rename its rally and slogans like "Down with Mujibism" were seen locally as insults to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, sparking anger and mass mobilisation through mosque announcements.
Rumours that NCP activists might attack the Bangabandhu mausoleum further inflamed tensions, he added.
"The NCP was adamant about holding its rally, while locals, influenced by a kind of tribal loyalty and unwilling to accept the post-5 August political reality, were equally determined to resist it. This mismatch between perception and reality made the violence almost inevitable," he told BBC Bangla.
Those involved
The commission based its findings on photos and videos published by credible media outlets, eyewitness accounts and interviews with victims' families.
Sazzad said most individuals seen taking part in the violence have political affiliations. "Local people were mobilised under the leadership of party activists who led the attacks," he said.
The NCP's top leaders, besieged after the rally, were later rescued with the help of the army.
Recommendations
The report includes recommendations and key steps to prevent similar violence.
One notable suggestion is to require administrative approval at least 15 days before any politically sensitive programme, said Sazzad.
The commission also advised political leaders to exercise caution in their choice of words and expressions during speeches.
If anyone uses words recklessly or intentionally in a way that provokes others and could lead to violent conflict, legal action should be taken against them – that is one specific recommendation, Sazzad added.
Investigation into the shooting
Five people were killed by gunfire during the Gopalganj clash. Following criticism over their burial without autopsy, four of the bodies were later exhumed for post-mortem examinations.
The Gopalganj superintendent of police told BBC Bangla that a case has been filed and an investigation is ongoing.
"In our opinion, the cause of death was haemorrhage and shock due to ante-mortem injuries of a homicidal nature," he added.
Sazzad clarified that the commission did not determine whose bullets caused the deaths. "It is a technical issue," he said.
