DHAKA, July 17: Military, paramilitary, and riot police forces patrolled the streets of Gopalganj, the hometown of Bangladesh’s founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, on Thursday amid a 22-hour curfew following deadly political violence. The unrest stemmed from clashes surrounding a rally by the National Citizen Party (NCP), resulting in four deaths and the detention of 14 people.
The violence erupted Wednesday as supporters of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League clashed with NCP members and police ahead of the student-led party’s rally. The NCP, formed by activists from the Students Against Discrimination (SAD) movement, had led last year’s protests that ousted Hasina’s 16-year regime on August 5, 2024.
Gopalganj, about 160 kilometers southwest of Dhaka, was placed under a strict curfew beginning 8 p.m. Wednesday. Armored vehicles and troops with red flags roamed the town, while residents remained indoors, and all commercial activity halted.
Local police confirmed the detention of 14 individuals linked to the clashes, though no formal cases had yet been filed. Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’ office said perpetrators would face justice and ordered a high-level inquiry committee, led by Home Ministry officials, to investigate the violence.
According to eyewitnesses and media reports, tensions escalated when police and security forces attempted to control crowds armed with bamboo sticks and bricks. Law enforcement opened fire after protesters vandalized vehicles, including those of police and the local administration. Despite the chaos and a damaged stage, NCP convenor Nahid Islam proceeded with the rally, declaring that the party would seek justice if authorities failed.
In a Facebook post, Islam accused the Awami League and its student wing, the Chhatra League, of orchestrating a violent assault aimed at silencing the NCP. He branded the Awami League a “terrorist organization,” alleging that many of its detained members had either been granted bail or evaded custody.
Islam vowed to “liberate” Gopalganj and Bangladesh from what he called “Mujibist terrorism and fascism.” His comments reflected growing political polarization following last year’s student uprising that drove Hasina into exile in India, where she has resided since.
The violence has also deepened existing political divisions. Residents and local media claim that not only Awami League loyalists but also citizens and supporters of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Khaleda Zia, joined efforts to block the NCP rally.
In a sign of long-simmering resentment, in February protesters set fire to Bangabandhu’s historic residence at 32 Dhanmondi in Dhaka, now a national memorial.
The interim government is facing rising pressure to stabilize the political environment and prevent further unrest. Analysts warn that the failure to address grievances from emerging political groups like the NCP could lead to broader national instability.
Despite the curfew and security clampdown, uncertainty remains over whether the ceasefire in Gopalganj will hold. A previous truce collapsed after it was rejected by influential Druze cleric Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hijri, underlining the fragile nature of peace efforts in the face of deeply rooted political animosities. (PTI)
