Gopalganj unrest: Police file 3 cases against 2,300, so far 164 arrested

Police have filed three separate cases against more than 2,300 people, including banned Awami League, Chhatra League, and Jubo League supporters, and arrested at least 164 individuals so far in connection with last Wednesday's violence surrounding the National Citizen Party's (NCP) rally in Gopalganj.

According to police sources, the cases were registered over the last two days at Sadar, Kotalipara, and Kashiani police stations. The charges include attacking police, vandalising and setting fire to vehicles, and engaging in anti-state activities, including blocking the Dhaka-Khulna highway and different roads in various spots by felling trees.

A total of 157 named individuals — including Newton Molla and Ataur Rahman, president and general secretary of the district Chhatra League unit — were accused across the cases. Additionally, 2,200 unidentified persons were also made accused.

The total number of arrests across the district since Wednesday stands at 164.

The case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act at Sadar Police Station includes 75 named and 400-500 unnamed accused, according to Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mir Mohammad Sajedur Rahman.

The case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act on Thursday (17 July) at Kashiani Police Station includes 74 named and 250-300 unnamed accused. So far, 24 have been arrested in this case, confirmed Kashiani police OC Kamal Hossain today (19 July).

The case filed under the Special Powers Act at Kotalipara Police Station includes 155 named and 1,500 unnamed accused. So far, 12 individuals have been arrested in this case, according to the station's OC Abul Kalam Azad, as reported by Prothom Alo.

Amid the curfew, which was imposed on Wednesday evening, in Gopalganj, joint security forces conducted raids and arrested 66 in Muksudpur, 45 in Sadar, 24 in Kashiani, 17 in Tungipara, and 12 in Kotalipara.

The violence has also left five people dead so far, including one victim who succumbed to injuries at Dhaka Medical College Hospital in the early hours of Friday.

Violence erupted across several parts of Gopalganj last Wednesday over the NCP's rally, with multiple rounds of clashes breaking out between law enforcers and Awami League supporters after the latter carried out attacks on the NCP leaders' rally and convoy.

Following incidents of arson and crude bomb explosions, Section 144 was initially imposed in the district town. As the situation worsened, a curfew was declared from 6pm Wednesday. However, the curfew has now been temporarily relaxed for 14 hours until 8pm today.