NCP's 'March to Gopalganj': Army deployed as police vehicle torched, 3 cops injured
Leaders and activists of the banned Chhatra League attacked the police vehicle, vandalised it and then set it on fire, says police
A police vehicle was set on fire and three officers were injured during an attack allegedly led by members of the banned Chhatra League in Gopalganj this morning (16 July), ahead of the National Citizen Party's (NCP) "March to Gopalganj" programme.
In the mean time, security has been tightened in the area with the deployment of both police and army personnel due to the escalating unrest.
The incident occurred around 9:30am in the Khatiagor Charpara area along the Ulpur-Durgapur road in Sadar upazila, Gopalganj Superintendent of Police Mizanur Rahman.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
"Leaders and activists of the banned Chhatra League attacked the police vehicle, vandalised it and then set it on fire," Officer-in-Charge of Gopalganj Sadar Police Station Mir Mohammad Sajedur Rahman told The Business Standard.
The injured officers were rescued and taken to the Gopalganj 250-Bed General Hospital for treatment. They are Inspector (IC) Ahmed Biswas of the Gopinathpur Police Outpost, and constables Kawsar and Minhaj.
"Legal action will be taken against those involved in the attack," OC Sajedur said.
Notably, ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina's ancestral home is situated in Gopalganj. It is also home to the mausoleum of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Tungipara.
The NCP began the month-long nationwide programme titled "Desh Gorte July Podojatra (July March to Build the Nation)" on 1 July and will take place across all 64 districts of Bangladesh till 20 July.
Earlier, NCP Convener Nahid Islam said 16 July will be observed as Anti-Discrimination Martyrs' Day, marking the martyrdom of Abu Sayed, while on 3 August, the July Declaration will be officially announced at the Shaheed Minar. Additionally, 5 August will be celebrated as People's Liberation Day.
UNO's vehicle vandalised ahead of NCP's 'March to Gopalganj'
Tensions escalated further in Gopalganj today (16 July) as the vehicle of the Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) came under attack, following earlier incidents of arson and vandalism targeting a police vehicle.
Around 11:15am, a group of unidentified individuals placed barricades on the road at Kangsur area along the Gopalganj-Tekerhat highway.
UNO M Rakibul Hasan confirmed the matter to The Business Standard that when he was on his way to monitor the situation surrounding the National Citizen Party's (NCP) "March to Gopalganj" programme, the group launched an attack on his vehicle, injuring his driver, Moin.
He also told The Daily Star, "A group of 20–30 miscreants suddenly attacked and vandalised my car while I was heading to the area to oversee the law and order situation surrounding the NCP's march."
Awami League supporters block road in Gopalganj by cutting down trees
In protest of the National Citizens' Party's (NCP) ongoing march and rally programme, agitated supporters of the banned Awami League have blocked the Gopalganj-Kotalipara road at Kathi in Sadar upazila by felling trees across the highway.
Party activists and members of affiliated organisations have also staged demonstrations on the road armed with tree branches and locally made weapons, creating a tense situation in the area.
