Army Protocol Withdrawn from NCP Rally? Questions Arise Following Gopalganj Killing

Staff Correspondent. Dhaka, July 30, 2025.

The presence of armed guards, armored personnel carriers (APCs) and tanks of the army was a notable feature in the rallies and marches of the National Citizens Party (NCP). But after the killings in Gopalganj on July 16, 2025, allegations of biased behavior and firing on unarmed people were made against the army. The incident sparked a storm of criticism and condemnation across the country. Since then, no army guards or armed presence have been seen in NCP rallies, which has raised the question of whether the NCP is being deprived of the army’s protocol.

Gopalganj events and context

At least five people were killed and over 50 injured in violence at the NCP’s provocative rally titled ‘Long March to Gopalganj’ in Gopalganj, with over 50 people missing. According to eyewitnesses and media reports, after the NCP rally was attacked by Awami League supporters after they made a speech calling for the “burial of Mujibism”, the army and police used live ammunition, tear gas and sound grenades, further escalating the situation. Questions have been raised about the role of the army in the incident, especially why the army opened fire on the people to protect NCP leaders. A news report said, “While the army showed restraint during the fall of the Hasina government in August 2024, why did they use deadly force to protect NCP leaders in Gopalganj?”

Rumors of withdrawal of army protocol

Various posts on social media have claimed that the army has decided not to grant protocol to the NCP in the wake of the Gopalganj incident and allegations of corruption. The post says, “In the face of international pressure and public outrage, the army will no longer grant protocol to a controversial party like the NCP.” However, no official announcement has been received from the Bangladesh Army or the government regarding this decision. There is no information on the army website (www.army.mil.bd) or the Ministry of Defense portal (mod.gov.bd) regarding this.

Meanwhile, while 800-900 police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and other law enforcement personnel were deployed for security at recent NCP rallies, no armed presence of the army was seen. For example, about 1,500 police personnel provided security at an NCP rally in Faridpur, but no army units were seen there. This change has raised questions in the public mind—has the army withdrawn its support or protocol for the NCP?

There has been mixed reactions to the role of the army towards the NCP after the Gopalganj incident. Some believe that the absence of army security at the NCP rally is a sign of the government’s neutrality. On the other hand, NCP supporters claim that it is part of a political conspiracy against the party. NCP convener Nahid Islam told a press conference after the Gopalganj incident, “Our rally was attacked due to the failure of the law and order forces. We want justice for it.” However, he did not directly comment on the withdrawal of the army’s protocol.

At the same time, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) blamed Awami League supporters for the Gopalganj attack, saying, “This is a planned attempt to disrupt the democratic process.” BNP’s statement has further added to the confusion in the public mind about the role of the army.

Army chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman told Reuters in an interview last year that “the army will not interfere in politics and will play a professional role.” However, rumors of the army withdrawing its protocol after the Gopalganj incident have raised questions about this promise. This remains uncertain as there has been no clear statement from the army or the interim government on the matter.

Currently, while there is a heavy presence of law enforcement at NCP rallies, the absence of the army has sparked debate in political circles. Is this a sign of the army’s neutrality, or a result of declining support for the NCP? We will have to wait for more information and government announcements to answer this question.