NCP leaders leave Gopalganj in army APC after attacks

Leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP) departed for Dhaka under the protection of law enforcement on Wednesday afternoon following a series of violent attacks in Gopalganj earlier in the day.

An armoured personnel carrier (APC) of the Bangladesh Army guarded them on the way back to Dhaka.

According to reports, the NCP convoy came under attack around 2:30pm while leaving Gopalganj after holding a political rally. As their vehicles attempted to pass through the municipality park and launch terminal areas, supporters of the banned Chhatra League, Jubo League and Awami League began pelting stones at the convoy.

Witnesses said a group of people armed with sticks and clubs encircled the NCP leaders and activists and carried out an attack on them while chanting “Joy Bangla”. They surrounded the NCP members and blocked police vehicles from all sides.

At that moment, members of the police and army fired sound grenades and blank shots in an attempt to bring the situation under control.

The NCP leaders and activists turned their vehicles and left the scene through a different route.

The NCP leaders then took shelter in the district SP office. They left the SP office on APCs in the afternoon. A video of the NCP leaders leaving in the APCs went viral on social media.

The viral videos show central NCP leaders, including convenor Nahid Islam, member secretary Akhtar Hossain, chief organizer (south) Hasnat Abdullah and chief organizer (north) Sarjis Alam boarding on APCs.

While staying inside the SP office, NCP chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary complained to newspersons that Awami League leaders and activists carried out the attack.

He also alleged although the police and the army were present at the scene, they did not stop them.

The NCP leader claimed that they were told that everything was under control. However, upon reaching the venue, they realised that was not the case.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as Gopalganj town, particularly the park and terminal area, descended into what resembled a battlefield.

Despite law enforcement firing blank rounds, rubber bullets, and tear gas, full control could not be re-established immediately.

Protesters clashed with police and several rally chairs were dragged into the street and set ablaze. Shops across the town were shuttered and traffic came to a standstill.

Earlier in the day, around 9:30 am, a police vehicle was attacked and set on fire on the Ulpur-Durgapur road at Khatiyagarh Charpara in the Sadar upazila. Three police members were injured in the attack.

Upon receiving news of the incident, UNO Md Rakibul Hasan went to visit the area. A group of people attacked his vehicle at Kansur while he was returning to the office. The driver of his vehicle was injured in the incident.

In response to the escalating situation, four platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were deployed alongside the police and army to restore order.

In protest of the attacks, the NCP’s affiliated youth wing, Jatiya Jubo Shakti, has announced a nationwide blockade programme.

Since 1 July, NCP has been carrying out its ‘July March to Build the Nation’ programme. As part of the month-long campaign, the party has already organised events in several districts. Today, it was holding a march in Gopalganj. On Tuesday, the party announced this event on its verified Facebook page as the ‘16 July: March to Gopalganj’ programme.