Gopalganj unrest: 6,000 accused in 4 murder cases filed after four days

Four murder cases have been filed over the deadly violence that erupted centering the rally and march organised by the National Citizens' Party (NCP) in Gopalganj on 16 July. 

The clashes, between supporters of the banned Awami League and law enforcers, initially left four people dead on the day of the incident, with another person later dying while undergoing treatment. Another murder case is expected to be filed over the fifth death.

Confirming the matter, Gopalganj Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mir Mohammad Sajedur Rahman said the cases were filed with the station in the early hours today (20 July). 

Each of the four murder cases accuses between 1,400 to 1,500 unidentified individuals, allegedly affiliated with the Awami League and its affiliated wings, bringing the total number of accused to around 6,000.

One of the cases was filed by SI Md Ayub Hossain over the killing of 17-year-old Ramzan Kazi. According to the complaint, following a NCP rally on 16 July, NCP leaders left Gopalganj town in a motorcade. As they approached SK Salehia Madrasa, armed attackers reportedly affiliated with the Awami League and its wings launched an assault. When law enforcement, including police and the army, intervened, the attackers allegedly opened fire on them. Ramzan was critically injured and declared dead at Gopalganj General Hospital.

Another case, filed by SI Md Shamim Hossain, concerned the killing of 27-year-old Dipta Saha. The complaint states that attackers fired on security personnel near Milan Pharmacy, adjacent to College Mosque, during efforts to control the unrest. Dipta was shot by attackers and later succumbed to his injuries.

SI Abul Kalam Azad filed the third case regarding the killing of Sohel Rana Molla (30), who was fatally shot during an attack on NCP central leaders near Hotel Raj at the launch terminal area. The attackers reportedly fired at police and army personnel, injuring Sohel, who later died in hospital.

The fourth case was filed by SI Sheikh Mizanur Rahman over the death of 17-year-old Iman Talukdar. Attackers allegedly targeted the NCP convoy near the old Sonali Bank branch in Gopalganj. When security forces intervened, gunmen reportedly opened fire, fatally injuring Iman, who died shortly after being taken to hospital.

At least 277 individuals have so far been sent to jail in connection with the violence surrounding the NCP rally in Gopalganj. Due to overcrowding, 177 of them were kept in the district jail while the remaining 100 were transferred to Pirojpur and Bagerhat district jails yesterday. 

Among the detainees are at least nine minors, who were scheduled to be transferred to the Pulerhat Juvenile Development Centre in Jashore today.

Relatives of arrestees allege arbitrary arrests

Meanwhile, relatives of a number of arrestees allege that police are arbitrarily making arrests. 

Police, however, refused to comment on the matter.

Mozammel Sheikh, standing in front of the prison gate this afternoon, said, "My nephew Asif Molla is 16 years old. He works at Bhai-Bhai Bakery in the BSCIC area. Around 5pm on Thursday, he left the factory to bathe in a nearby canal. Police arrested him and four others from there."

Mozammel claimed that during Wednesday's clashes, Asif was at the factory.

Another 16-year-old boy, Prince Adhikari, was arrested around 10pm on Thursday from in front of his house in Amtali Monsabari area of Kotalipara.

His parents, Pradeep and Lipika Adhikari, said, "Prince failed one subject in this year's SSC exams. So, he was staying home and studying to do better next year. He was at home on Wednesday. We don't understand why he was arrested."

Rifat Biswas (20), a youth from the same area, works at his uncle Sohel Hossain's cosmetics shop near the Kotalipara Police Station.

His aunt, Shakila Akter Tuli, said, "Rifat was raised by us and lives in our home. On Thursday around 10pm, he was picked up by police on his way home after closing the shop."

Relatives stated that Rifat was in the shop during Wednesday's clashes.

Abu Daud (23), a resident of Sluice Gate area in Gopalganj Sadar, has been working in a factory in Malaysia for the past two years. He returned home for Eid-ul-Azha. He was arrested around 10pm on Thursday near his home.

His mother, Kohinoor Begum, said, "He went outside to have tea with his friends near our house. That's when the police picked him up. My son studied at a madrasa to become a Hafiz. He prays five times a day. Why would they arrest him?"

Prison guard Ripon Sheikh said that due to an attack on the prison on Wednesday, security had been tightened and no one was being allowed to meet the detainees for the time being.

Mamun Sheikh (22), a rod and cement trader from Boalia Hat area in Gopinathpur, was picked up from his shop around 5:30pm on Friday.

His brother, Tarikul Islam, came to the Sadar Police Station yesterday to inquire about him.

He said, "My brother isn't involved in politics. He was at the shop on market day Wednesday. Still, police picked him up."

Binita Bhowmik was sitting on a van, crying inconsolably. She said her son, Suman Bhowmik (35), is a mason by profession. A temple is being built at their home, and he had gone to Boiltola Bazar around 10am yesterday to buy bricks and stones. He was arrested from there.

Her husband, Sushil Bhowmik, is already ill due to a stroke, and after hearing of their son's arrest, his condition has worsened.

More families like hers were seen in front of the police station. Almost all had the same complaint: their relatives were picked up by police without cause.