Gopalganj has turned into a battleground surrounding the National Citizen Party’s (NCP) July march. Since Wednesday morning (July 16), a series of clashes, counter-clashes, and attacks have spread panic throughout the city. In protest of the attacks, the NCP has announced a torch procession in the capital today.
In a statement, the party said that a torch procession will be brought out from the NCP’s central office in Banglamotor this evening, led by Dhaka Metropolitan North and South units, in protest of the attack on the NCP’s July march in Gopalganj by banned Awami terrorists.
Sources said that in the afternoon, at the planned location of the NCP’s march and rally in Gopalganj city, a sudden attack was carried out by some leaders and activists of the banned Chhatra League. They launched a sudden assault and vandalized the area but fled after facing counter-resistance.
Shortly after the rally ended, as participants were about to leave, a group of armed individuals attempted to surround and attack NCP leaders and activists. They blocked vehicles from all sides, including those of the police.
Read More: Slogans raised during attack on NCP rally in Gopalganj, cocktails and brickbats thrown
At that point, police and military personnel fired sound grenades and blank shots to bring the situation under control. Team Members managed to leave the scene by rerouting their vehicles.
Earlier in the morning, in the Gandhiyashur area of Sadar Upazila, Awami League and Chhatra League activists blocked the Ghona Para-Tekerhat regional road by cutting down trees. When the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO)’s motorcade tried to negotiate with them, it came under attack.
Even earlier, in Gopalganj Sadar’s Ulpur area, a police vehicle was attacked, vandalized, and set on fire, injuring several police personnel.
