Gopalganj death toll rises to 5, over 450 sued, curfew extended

Another person, who sustained bullet wounds in Gopalganj during a clash between banned Awami League supporters and law enforcement on 16 July, has succumbed to his injuries.

Ramjan Munsi, 32, from Thanapara area under Gopalganj Sadar upazila, passed away at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), according to Sub-Inspector Maksud Alam, assistant in charge of the DMCH police outpost.

Meanwhile, a case was filed over the violent incidents in Gopalganj late Thursday night against more than 450 people, 75 of whom were named.

Till last night, a total of 164 individuals were detained in connection with the violence.

Also, curfew in Gopalganj was extended to the fourth day ending at 6am tomorrow.

With the passing of Ramjan, the death toll rises to five in the violent clashes in Gopalganj.

"Ramjan died at around 1:45am today [18 July] while undergoing treatment. His body has been sent to the morgue," said Maksud today.

The victim's brother, Hira Munshi, told UNB, "On the day of the incident [Wednesday], while returning after dropping off a passenger from his rickshaw near the cinema hall in Gopalganj Sadar area, my brother got trapped in the violence and was shot."

He was rescued and first taken to the Sadar Hospital and later shifted to the DMCH, where he died on Thursday night, he added.

Those who died on Wednesday were Sohel Molla, 35, a mobile phone parts shop owner; Dipto Saha, 25, a garment trader; Imon Talukdar, 17, an employee at a crockery shop; and Ramzan Kazi, 18, an assistant to a tile worker.

Case filed against over 450 individuals, 164 held

Police filed a case against 450 to 500 unidentified individuals, as well as 75 named, over the attack, vandalism, arson, and assault on police personnel. 

The named individuals include Newton Molla, president of the banned organisation District Chhatra League, and its general secretary Ataur Rahman Piyal.

The case under the Anti Terrorism Act was filed at the Sadar Police Station late on Thursday night (17 July), Sadar police Officer-in-Charge Mir Mohammad Sajedur Rahman confirmed to The Business Standard.

Officials told TBS that 164 people have been detained by the joint forces during raids since the violent clashes.

Curfew extended again

The curfew imposed in Gopalganj district was extended for the second time today, to remain in effect until 6am tomorrow.

Gopalganj Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Muhammad Kamruzzaman made the announcement through a public notice today.

Initially, the curfew was enforced from 8pm Wednesday to 6pm Thursday. Just before the expiration of the curfew on Thursday, the government extended it until further notice, with a three-hour pause from 11am to 2pm.

As the curfew continues, law enforcement personnel, including police, Army, and Rapid Action Battalion, are patrolling the district town to maintain law and order.

Public movement on the streets remains minimal, as people have been discouraged from leaving their homes unless it is an emergency. A small number of shops were also open.

On Wednesday, more than 50 people, including police personnel, were injured in a series of clashes over the NCP's scheduled rally in Gopalganj Sadar upazila.

In light of the deteriorating situation, the local administration initially imposed Section 144 in Sadar upazila and later enforced indefinite curfew.