Throughout the month, as part of the National Citizen Party’s (NCP) central program called the ‘July March,’ tension has been rising in Gopalganj Sadar.
Following attacks on police vehicles and the Upazila Nirbahi Officer’s (UNO) convoy, now the stage for an NCP rally was attacked by activists and supporters of the student wing of the Awami League.
On Wednesday (July 16) around 12:45 pm, the attackers stormed the rally while shouting slogans. They threw cocktails and bricks, injuring several people.
A reporter from Jamuna TV, who was on the scene, said the attack was not sudden or unexpected. The attackers crossed from across the canal, shouting slogans openly in front of the police and the Armed Police Battalion (APBN).
Police and NCP leaders fled the venue briefly, but later the NCP activists returned to continue the rally. With additional police deployed, the situation was brought under control within a short time.
Read More: Awami League Activists Block Barisal-Gopalganj Road Ahead of NCP March
Earlier that morning, leaders and activists of the Awami League and its student wing blocked the regional Ghonapara-Tekerhat road in the Gandhiyashur area of the Sadar Upazila by cutting down trees. When attempts were made to talk to them, the UNO’s convoy was attacked.
Before that, in Ulpur area of Gopalganj Sadar, police vehicles were attacked, vandalized, and set on fire, leaving several police officers injured. This sequence of events reflects the growing unrest and political tension surrounding the NCP’s activities in the area
