In the wake of escalating tensions following the attack on National Citizen Party (NCP) members in Gopalganj, NCP Convener Nahid Islam has urged party leaders and supporters to clear road blockades and instead take position peacefully on one side of the streets.
His message, shared via a Facebook post by NCP’s North Region Coordinator Sarjis Alam on Wednesday is that “Remove the blockades. Take position on one side of the road. The struggle continues. – Nahid”
Despite the call for restraint, the situation on the ground remains highly charged. Students and ordinary citizens have taken to the streets across the country, blocking key highways in protest. Major roads like the Dhaka-Aricha Highway in Manikganj and roads in Sylhet have already been obstructed by demonstrators.
Protesters are demanding the arrest of those responsible for the Gopalganj attack within 72 hours.
The unrest began after members of the banned Chhatra League and Awami League allegedly ambushed the NCP convoy while they were returning from a rally in Gopalganj on Wednesday afternoon. The attack took place at the Chourangi intersection and led to hours of chaos and confrontation.
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Following the incident, NCP leaders, including Nahid Islam, sought refuge at the Gopalganj Superintendent of Police’s office, where they staged a sit-in demanding justice and protection.
In response to the violence, the Gopalganj municipal park area has turned into a virtual battlefield. Clashes have reportedly continued in phases throughout the evening. Law enforcement agencies, including the police, army, and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), are struggling to disperse crowds and restore order.
The district administration has imposed Section 144 to prevent gatherings and ensure public safety, while four platoons of BGB have been deployed to control the escalating situation.
Meanwhile, the Discrimination Resistance Student Movement, a prominent youth-led organization, has announced blockades in key points across the country in protest of what they describe as state-sponsored violence and political suppression.
As the dust refuses to settle, questions loom large over the authorities’ response and whether the demand for justice will be met in time to prevent further bloodshed.
