Banned AL allegedly brought in outsiders before NCP rally attack in Gopalganj

A calm district turned volatile on the day of the National Citizen Party's (NCP) rally in Gopalganj, as waves of people — many unfamiliar to locals — flooded the area. 

According to multiple sources within the Gopalganj district administration, those who carried out the attack were not all locals. In fact, many were brought in from neighbouring upazilas and districts, allegedly under the direction of leaders from the banned Awami League and its student wing Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL). 

These groups, sources say, had prior knowledge of the NCP's plan to stage a significant political show of strength in Gopalganj and prepared accordingly.

"The NCP rally had created quite a stir," said a local official familiar with the situation. 

He added, "There was an expectation that it would draw a large crowd, and the counter-mobilisation effort was clearly planned in advance."

Residents echoed the same concerns. 

A local BNP supporter, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told The Business Standard, "There were rumours going around that the NCP planned to demolish the mausoleum of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Whether or not it was true, the tension was real. People were brought in from outside — many of them affiliated with AL-linked groups — to respond aggressively."

The growing sense of foreboding was confirmed at an official level. 

At a press briefing held at the Gopalganj District Commissioner's office, Dhaka Divisional Commissioner Sharaf Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury acknowledged that intelligence reports had verified the presence of outsiders in the town on the day of the violence.

"We've confirmed through intelligence that a large number of non-residents had entered Gopalganj," he said, adding, "A detailed investigation is underway to uncover the motives and planning behind their mobilisation."

Stillness returns as curfew empties roads

With a curfew now in place, the atmosphere in Gopalganj town shifted once again. After a day of relative calm, a few residents had begun stepping out onto the streets by afternoon. But once the curfew was extended, they quickly retreated indoors.

By evening, traffic on the main roads had thinned noticeably. The movement of CNGs and auto-rickshaws slowed to a trickle, and small tea stalls and alleyway grocery shops quietly shut their doors.

Security has since been tightened at key points across the town. Police presence has increased, and as night falls, army and police vehicles continue regular patrols, ensuring compliance and calm across the curfew-bound city.

Earlier in the day, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced an extension of the ongoing curfew in Gopalganj district.

According to a statement, signed by Faisal Hasan, public relations officer of the ministry, the curfew will remain in effect from 6pm today until 11am tomorrow and will resume again from 2pm and continue until further notice.

The move comes after the city was met with deadly clashes between banned Awami League supporters and law enforcers during the National Citizen Party's (NCP) "March to Gopalganj", which left four people dead and scores injured.