Section 144 has been imposed in Gopalganj to restore order following widespread clashes and retaliatory attacks cantered around a rally organised by the National Citizen Party (NCP).
Gopalganj turned into a battleground on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, as the National Citizen Party (NCP) convoy was ambushed following a rally in the city’s Municipal Park.
The attack, allegedly carried out by supporters of the banned Awami League, Chhatra League, and Juba League, has left NCP leaders, including convener Nahid Islam, member secretary Akhtar Hossain, northern chief organizer Sarjis Alam, and southern chief organizer Hasnat Abdullah, trapped in the district Circuit House.
The town remains gripped by chaos, with shops shuttered, traffic halted, and ongoing clashes between attackers and law enforcement.
Four platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have joined the army and police, said BGB headquarters public relations officer Md. Shariful Islam.
He said that four platoons of BGB have joined the army and police to control the law and order situation in Gopalganj.
The town remains gripped by chaos, with shops shuttered, traffic halted, and ongoing clashes between attackers and law enforcement.
The turmoil began around 1:35 PM when the NCP’s rally stage at Municipal Park was vandalised, with sound systems, microphones, and chairs destroyed by alleged Awami League and Chhatra League activists.
Despite the disruption, NCP leaders addressed a brief 30-minute rally, led by Nahid Islam, before departing. As their convoy attempted to leave the city around 2:30 PM, it was pelted with brickbats near the Launch Ghat area in front of Gopalganj Government College. The rally stage and chairs were later set ablaze, further escalating tensions.
Journalists on the scene reported that the Municipal Park and Launch Ghat areas resembled a battlefield, with tear gas and fire smoke clouding the streets. The city’s shops closed, and traffic came to a standstill as the violence intensified.
Police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) forces attempted to escort the NCP convoy out of the city but were forced to retreat under a barrage of brickbats and crude bombs. Law enforcement deployed rubber bullets, tear gas, and blank fire to disperse the attackers, but the situation remained volatile.
An army patrol team arriving at the scene also came under attack, prompting further blank shots to regain control.
Despite these efforts, the authorities could not fully stabilise the area, with chase and counter-chase incidents continuing between police and the assailants. Several individuals trapped in the clashes were rescued by army vehicles, but the unrest persisted.
As the attack intensified, the NCP convoy was diverted to the Gopalganj Circuit Housefor safety around 3:00 PM. The trapped leaders, including Nahid Islam, Akhtar Hossain, Sarjis Alam, Hasnat Abdullah, and other top figures, remain blockaded inside. Speaking to reporters, NCP chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari expressed frustration: “When we left, Awami League and Jubo League supporters from villages and across Bangladesh attacked us. The administration claims the situation is calm, but the police and army are completely inactive.”
The attack follows earlier incidents on Wednesday morning, when a police vehicle was torched in the Ulpur area of Gopalganj Sadar, injuring three officers. The assault was linked to supporters of the banned Chhatra League, aiming to disrupt the NCP’s “July March to Build the Nation” programme.
The NCP, born from the 2024 student-led uprising that ousted the Awami League government, has faced repeated targeting, with leaders condemning the violence as an attempt to derail their movement for a discrimination-free Bangladesh.
As clashes continue intermittently, Gopalganj remains on edge. The NCP’s leadership, now confined to the SP office, faces a critical moment in their campaign. Sarjis Alam’s earlier social media post, vowing to “build a grave for Mujibism” if he survives, underscores the deep political rift fueling the violence. The authorities are under pressure to restore order and ensure the safety of the NCP leaders, while the party calls for accountability against the perpetrators.
The situation in Gopalganj highlights the challenges of political mobilization in a polarized landscape, with the NCP’s push for reform met with fierce resistance from supporters of the ousted Awami League.