Use of force and shooting in Gopalganj: Can the state avoid responsibility, question human rights organizations

Staff Correspondent

The Human Rights Forum Bangladesh (HRFB) has expressed deep concern and strong condemnation of the use of force, firing and loss of life of five citizens during a political rally in Gopalganj. The organization said that responding to the situation by firing openly is a direct violation of civil rights and the Constitution.

In a statement on Friday (July 19), HRFB said that Deepta Saha (25), Ramzan Kazi (18), Sohel Molla (41), Emon (24) and Ramzan Munshi (28) were killed in violence following an NCP rally at Gopalganj Municipal Park on July 16. Many of the injured are still undergoing treatment in hospitals, some of whom are in critical condition.

The organization says, “The decision to open fire in public is not only inhumane, but is a direct violation of Article 31 of the Constitution and international human rights standards. Such excessive use of force is unacceptable under any circumstances.”

Citing video footage and eyewitnesses, the statement said that law enforcement officers were seen firing at the crowd. However, the IGP of police claimed, “The police did not use any lethal weapons in Gopalganj.”

On the other hand, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said, “They were forced to use force to control the situation.” However, no clear explanation was given about the use of lethal weapons.

HRFB demanded that those detained in the post-conflict period be brought to court and treated fairly. They said, “We must be careful not to harass any innocent people. At the same time, the decision to impose a prolonged curfew or ban public transport should also be reconsidered.”

The statement demanded the formation of an independent judicial investigation committee, saying, “The family of one of the deceased told the media that they did not receive any assistance after requesting an autopsy, resulting in the body being buried without an autopsy. This is not just dereliction of duty, but a clear violation of the law.”

HRFB believes that responsibility for these deaths should be determined through an impartial investigation and the perpetrators brought to justice. At the same time, compensation should be paid to the affected families.

The organization concluded the statement by saying, “Such attacks, use of force, and loss of life are a terrible blow to democracy, human rights, and civil security. Appropriate measures must be taken now to prevent such incidents in the future.”

The statement was signed on behalf of the organization by: Dr. Hamida Hossain, Advocate Sultana Kamal, Raja Debashish Roy, Advocate ZI Khan Panna, Shahin Anam, Zakir Hossain, Sara Hossain, Ranjan Karmakar, Saleh Ahmed, Sanjeev Drong, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Dr. Fawzia Moslem, Shamsul Huda, Khushi Kabir, Sardar Jahangir Hossain, Shipon Kumar Rabidas, Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, Dewan Zaman, Pallab Chakma, Rokeya Rafiq Baby, Geeta Das, Abdus Sattar Dulal, Ashrafunnahar Mishti, and 23 members of the Human Rights Forum.