NCP leaders leave Gopalganj in army's APC following attack on convoy, clashes between AL, police
Four platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel have been deployed along with police and army due to the escalating unrest.
Gopalganj town has been engulfed in chaos amid intense clashes, arson, and violent attacks allegedly by the activists of banned Awami League and Chhatra League surrounding the march and rally organised by the National Citizen Party (NCP) since this morning (16 July).
The local administration has imposed Section 144 in Gopalganj due to the escalating unrest, an executive magistrate confirmed to reporters this afternoon.
The city is gripped by fear, with shops in most areas shuttered amidst the clash between police and supporters of local Awami League and Chhatra League.
The streets are deserted as residents stay indoors, restricting all movement.
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In a Facebook post at 5:16pm, NCP Joint Member Secretary Tareq Reza said the party leaders left Gopalganj safely.
Later, videos surfaced showing the central NCP leaders climbing aboard an armoured personnel carrier (APC) of the Bangladesh Army to leave Gopalganj, along with the NCP convoy.
To regain control of the situation, police and army personnel, along with four platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), were deployed across the city.
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Shariful Islam, public relations officer (PRO) of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), confirmed the deployment and the border force.
Tensions had already been simmering since yesterday, as anticipation built around the NCP's march and rally.
The unrest escalated early Wednesday when a police vehicle was attacked and set on fire shortly before the NCP convoy entered the city. A vehicle belonging to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) was also attacked shortly afterward.
According to NCP leaders and activists, the most serious incident occurred around 1:30pm, when members of the banned organisations Awami League and Chhatra League allegedly marched to the rally stage at Municipal Park, chanting "Joy Bangla" and launching an attack.
Following a brief rally, NCP leaders were en route to Madaripur under police protection. Around 2:45pm, as their convoy reached the Launch Ghat area near Gopalganj Government College, it came under attack again.
The NCP activists dispersed under pressure, and party leaders were left stranded in the city. They later took shelter at the Superintendent of Police's office.
Eyewitnesses reported that chairs and equipment from the rally stage were dragged onto the street and set ablaze. Heavy gunfire echoed through the area, and flames were visible at the rally site.
Law enforcement forces responded by chasing the attackers, who had gathered at Chowrangee intersection wielding sticks and throwing bricks at police.
Police countered the assault with sound grenades and tear gas, but the atmosphere remained extremely tense throughout the city.
Later, inside the office of the Superintendent of Police, NCP Joint Chief Coordinator Arifur Rahman Tuhin alleged that the administration failed to ensure their safety.
Watch: NCP goes live as Hasnat and leaders take centre stage
He said, "Armed goons loyal to the killer Hasina blocked our path. The administration did not take adequate measures. Even though we were accompanied by the administration under official protocol, once we began to leave after our rally, Awami League thugs opened fire indiscriminately.
"The police turned their backs and fled. This is truly unfortunate."
He added that they were unaware they had entered the Superintendent of Police's office, having moved with their convoy wherever they could after being abandoned by the police.
Later on Wednesday night, in a Facebook post, Arifur Rahaman Tuhin, joint chief coordinator of the National Citizen Party claimed, "The targets were Nahid, Hasnat, and Sargis's vehicles. The attackers didn't know that I had forcibly placed them inside the APC. So, they specifically targeted those three vehicles with gunfire and bombs."
He further said, "Gunpowder and petrol were spread across the roads, and trees were deliberately felled to block the way. I was in Nahid's vehicle myself, and deafening bombs were exploding one after another. Four of our boys were seriously injured by the blasts, and one is still missing."
Sarjis vows to put an end to 'Mujibism'
Meanwhile, NCP leader Sarjis Alam has strongly condemned the attack on their motorcade earlier in the day, calling on everyone to rush to Gopalganj and put up a resistance against members of the banned Awami League.
In a Facebook post, Sarjis said, "In Gopalganj, the agents of the killer Hasina have attacked us. The police are just standing by, watching the drama, retreating."
"If we make it out of here alive, we will return only after burying Mujibism—otherwise, we won't return at all," Sarjis added.
Urging people from all over Bangladesh to rush to Gopalganj, Sarjis further said, "Conscious students and citizens of Gopalganj, rise up. Today is the final day to bury the agents once and for all."
Tareq Reza calls for disbanding police, put up resistance against AL goons
In separate facebook posts, Tareq Reza, joint member secretary of NCP, expressed frustration over the lack of law enforcers deployed in Gopalganj and called on everyone to move to the district with whatever they can bring with themselves.
"They are using mosque loudspeakers to gather Awami League supporters. The police and army presence here is not enough. Everyone, head toward Gopalganj with whatever you have," Tareq said in his facebook posts.
Tareq added, "If this police force is not completely disbanded, there will be nothing left of Bangladesh's independence and sovereignty. The terrorist Awami League is carrying out bomb attacks, while the police are sucking their fingers."
Tareq further said, "Gunfire is ongoing. The police constables are standing silently, not even following the officers' orders. Now even the police are retreating."
