NCP leaders chased in Gopalganj, blockade in Shahbagh in protest

Staff Correspondent

Activists of underground organizations including the Anti-Discrimination Students’ Movement (BAICHA), Bangladesh Democratic Students’ Union, National Citizen Party, Youth Shakti and others jointly blocked Shahbagh in response to the attack and chase by Awami League and its supporters on NCP leaders in Gopalganj during the July march program.

On Wednesday, July 16, around 5 pm, NCP leaders and activists gathered at the Shahbagh intersection in the capital and blocked traffic, causing severe traffic congestion in the area.

Earlier, around 2:45 pm, the convoy of NCP central leaders came under attack while returning from a rally in Gopalganj. The incident took place in the Launchghat area of the district town after leaving the rally venue. The convoy carrying the central leaders was heavily pelted with bricks and chased.

At that time, the police fired blank bullets and tear gas to bring the situation under control.

Although attempts were made to escort the NCP leaders out of the city under the guard of the police and RAB, they were taken to the district police superintendent’s office under heavy attack.

Later, at around 4:50 pm, their convoy left the district police superintendent’s office under the guard of law enforcement. From there, their convoy headed towards the next destination of the July march via Mollahat in Bagerhat and Khulna.

Incidentally, the NCP has been holding a march program since July 1. The party has held this program in several districts of the country. As part of the month-long program, it held a march in Gopalganj today. On Tuesday, the program was named March to Gopalganj on Facebook.

In the morning, a police vehicle was set on fire in Ulpur area of Sadar Upazila. In addition, the vehicle of the Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) was attacked. Then, at around 1:35 pm, an attack was launched on the stage of the rally organized in the Municipal Park area of Gopalganj city. At that time, the sound box, microphone, and chairs on the stage of the rally were vandalized and the NCP leaders and activists present were attacked.

However, law enforcement officials quickly brought the situation under control after the attack. At least four people have been killed and hundreds injured in the army firing. The bodies of four people have been identified. According to locals, many more bodies have been removed by the police.