Violence Erupts in Gopalganj as Clashes Claim Three Lives

At least three individuals lost their lives on July 16, 2023, in Gopalganj, Bangladesh, following violent clashes between police and supporters of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The confrontations erupted when members of Hasina’s Awami League attempted to disrupt a rally organized by the National Citizens Party (NCP), which features many students who played significant roles in last year’s uprising.

According to local authorities, the unrest escalated when police intervened during the rally, resulting in three fatalities and injuries to 17 others, including some with bullet wounds. Monoj Baral, a nurse at the Gopalganj District Hospital, confirmed that one of the deceased was identified as Ramjan Sikdar, while the families of the others opted to take their bodies away before identification.

In response to the violence, Gopalganj officials imposed a curfew throughout the district. The interim leader of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, condemned the disruption of the NCP rally as “a shameful violation of their fundamental rights.” His office stated, “This heinous act … will not go unpunished.”

The NCP’s rally was part of a nationwide “July March” initiative to commemorate the anniversary of last year’s uprising. Gopalganj, known as a stronghold of the Awami League, is historically significant as it is the home district of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding president of Bangladesh, and Hasina has contested elections from this constituency.

In the midst of the violence, NCP coordinator Hasnat Abdullah reported that participants sought refuge in a police station after being attacked. Abdullah expressed concerns for their safety, stating, “We don’t feel safe at all. They threatened to burn us alive.” In retaliation for the violence, the NCP has called for a blockade across the country.

The situation in Gopalganj underscores the ongoing tensions in Bangladesh’s political landscape, where clashes between rival factions have become increasingly frequent. The deaths and injuries from this incident may have far-reaching implications for both the NCP and the Awami League as they navigate a contentious political environment.