Gopalganj battlefield after attack on NCP's motorcade

A convoy of the National Citizen Party (NCP) was ambushed on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, while returning from a rally in Gopalganj Municipal Park in the district town, turning the area into a battlefield.

The attack, allegedly carried out by activists of the banned Awami League and its student wing, Chhatra League, followed an earlier assault on the NCP’s rally stage, escalating tensions in the city.

The violence began at approximately 1:35pm when assailants targeted the NCP’s rally at Municipal Park in Gopalganj town. Sound boxes, microphones, and chairs on the stage were vandalised, and NCP leaders and activists were attacked.

Despite the disruption, central NCP leaders, led by party convener Nahid Islam, arrived at the stage before 2:00pm to address the gathering.

Sarjis Alam, the NCP’s northern chief organiser, opened the speeches, followed by Hasnat Abdullah, the southern chief organiser, whose slogans electrified the crowd.

Joined by Senior Joint Convener Samantha Sharmin, Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain, Senior Joint Member Secretary Tasnim Zara, Sarwar Tushar, and others, the leaders rallied against the Awami League and Chhatra League. 

Nahid Islam concluded the event with a speech, and Sarjis Alam announced the rally’s closure.

However, as the NCP convoy left the Municipal Park area, it came under attack at around 2:45pm. The assailants, reportedly linked to the banned Awami League and Chhatra League, unleashed a barrage that turned Gopalganj into a chaotic scene.

To quell the violence, police and army personnel opened fire to disperse the attackers. In the ensuing turmoil, police and army vehicles also came under attack. As of the latest reports, law enforcement is actively pursuing the perpetrators in ongoing operations to restore order.

The attacks highlight the volatile political environment in Gopalganj, with the NCP facing significant resistance. The involvement of banned groups like the Awami League and Chhatra League raises concerns about political violence and the challenges of maintaining public safety during rallies. Authorities are expected to intensify efforts to prevent further clashes as the situation remains fluid.