United News of Bangladesh

The government on Thursday formed a six-member body, headed by a former Supreme Court justice, to investigate the recent violence centering a rally of the NCP in Gopalganj. The Cabinet Division issued a gazette notification on Thursday. Former justice and freedom fighter Dr Md Abu Tariq will lead the probe body. Other members of the committee include Khondokar Md Mahabubur Rahman, additional secretary of Public Security Division under the Ministry of Home Affairs; Md Saiful Islam, additional secretary of the Law and Parliamentary Affairs Division; Brig Gen Shahidur Rahman Osmani, commander of the 21st Infantry Brigade in Jashore; Sardar Nurul Amin, additional inspector general of Police and Director of Central Police Hospital; and Dr Sazzad Siddiqui, chairman of the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies at Dhaka University. Gopalganj curfew extended till 6 am Sunday The committee will investigate the deterioration of law and order on July 16 in Gopalganj Sadar upazila, including attacks on the district jail and other government establishments, loss of lives and properties and threats to public security. The committee has been tasked with identifying the accused and organisations involved in the attack on the rally and public establishments and to recommend legal actions against them. It (probe body) will also suggest measures to prevent such untoward incidents in future. The Public Security Division will provide secretarial support to the committee. The committee has been asked to submit its report with specific findings and recommendations to the Ministry of Home Affairs within three weeks.  

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Sunday said the army was compelled to open fire in Gopalganj due to the prevailing situation on the ground at the time. "The action had to be taken based on the situation at that moment," he told reporters after a meeting of the core committee on law and order and security forces at the Secretariat. Jahangir Alam said that the emergency Section 144, imposed in the district following clashes between Awami League activists and law enforcement, would be lifted gradually. Five people were killed and scores injured when activists of the Awami League and its banned student wing, Chhatra League, reportedly carried out attacks on an NCP rally in Gopalganj. 25 arrested over Gopalganj violence, crackdown to continue: Home Adviser Later, the government imposed a curfew in the district in the wake of the violence. Following the lifting of the curfew, Section 144 was enforced in the district. But, this emergency measure will also be withdrawn gradually, the adviser said, adding, “Those who commit crimes will be arrested. I have said only one thing that no offender should go unpunished and no innocent person should be falsely accused.” “I am not denying that the incident happened in Gopalganj. This is politics. In order to do politics, many things are needed at times... Previously, when we were involved in politics, many types of incidents occurred at the university. What matters is whether action is being taken afterward—we are taking steps where needed,” he added. Those responsible for Gopalganj violence won’t be spared: Home Adviser When asked whether any cases had been filed in connection with the deaths in Gopalganj, the adviser said, “Whether the police will file a case or not, a committee has been formed to decide that. There are no mass arrests in Gopalganj. Only those who have committed crimes are being arrested.” Responding to a question about the “detention of nine children” in connection with the Gopalganj incident, the adviser said, "I have no such information." Regarding Sunday’s hartal enforced by the banned organisation Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), he said, "Yes, a hartal was called by the Awami League. But was it really a hartal? Only two vehicles were reportedly burned. Acts of sabotage occurred. But during previous hartals, we saw far more violence. So we believe we've been able to reduce the level of sabotage." Asked whether law enforcement agencies would be able to maintain order during the national election expected in February or April next year, the adviser said, "Why wouldn’t our forces be able to ensure a fair election? They are preparing well. We still have time. We are training them and we are getting ready. There will be no problem in holding the election.”  

A fresh case has been filed against over 400 people in connection with the Gopalganj violence during a National Citizen Party (NCP) rally that left five people dead. Shamim Al Mamun, sub-inspector of Sadar Police Station, filed the case on Friday night against 54 named and 350 unnamed people.  The charges include torching police vehicles and creating obstructions by felling logs on Satpar Road in Sadar upazila on July 16, said officer-in-charge Sajedur Rahman. Forensic examination still possible for Gopalganj victims: Home Adviser This brings the total number of cases filed over the violence to four, with earlier cases naming around 2,500 people. Leaders and activists of the banned Awami League and its affiliated bodies were among the accused. So far, 360 people have been arrested in connection with the cases, according to the police. Meanwhile, the local administration relaxed the ongoing curfew for 14 hours on Saturday, allowing public movement from 6am to 8pm.  The decision was announced by Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Mohammad Kamruzzaman late Friday night. The curfew was imposed after violent clashes erupted during Wednesday’s NCP rally, allegedly attacked by activists of the Awami League and its banned student wing Chhatra League, resulting in five deaths. A tense atmosphere continues to prevail in the district, with major roads remaining deserted and residents gripped by fear. Only a few small vehicles were seen on the streets since July 17. Though the curfew relaxation offered partial relief, fear and uncertainty linger. Some businesses reopened, but customer turnout remained low.  Most establishments stayed closed due to the weekly holiday, and transport services resumed only on a limited scale.    

The Inter Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) on Thursday called on the public to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement agencies, urging them not to be misled by rumors or propaganda surrounding the recent unrest in Gopalganj. In a press release, ISPR said that on July 16, 2025, a group of unruly people carried out violent and terrorist activities in Gopalganj Sadar Upazila during a political rally organised as part of a broader march by a political party in the district. Several police personnel and journalists were initially injured during the clashes. In addition, key government installations and vehicles were vandalised and set on fire. “As the situation deteriorated rapidly, members of the Bangladesh Army and local police swiftly intervened and initially brought the situation under control,” said the ISPR. However, violence escalated again during the political rally when the stage was attacked a second time. Simultaneously, the district jail was also targeted and extensively damaged. Despite repeated announcements through loudspeakers urging calm, the attackers launched cocktails and bricks at army personnel, forcing them to respond in self-defense. BNP condemns NCP rally attack in Gopalganj, calls it anti-democratic Subsequently, the army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and police jointly dispersed the rioters. Under the overall supervision of the army, civilians who had taken refuge at the Office of the Superintendent of Police in Gopalganj were safely relocated to Khulna. Law enforcement agencies successfully restored order and ensured public safety through professional conduct and restraint. The ISPR confirmed that the overall security situation in Gopalganj is now stable and a curfew imposed by the administration remains in effect.

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Thursday said law enforcers have so far arrested 25 people over Wednesday’s violence centring an NCP rally in Gopalganj, vowing to continue drives until all accused are held. He came up with the warning and figure while talking to reporters at the Secretariat in the afternoon. Adviser Jahangir said 10 police personnel were injured in the clashes, with two already brought to Central Police Hospital in Rajarbagh and three more on the way to the hospital from Gopalganj. He said the law and order situation is now under control as the 22-hour curfew beginning at 8pm on Wednesday has been in place in the district following the vandalism at the NCP’s rally, arson attacks and cocktail blasts. Regarding NCP’s allegations about the role of law enforcement agencies, the adviser said the law enforcers have been given instruction in this regard and they are trying their best. Responding to a query on what measures would be taken to prevent such incidents in the future, he said all necessary precautionary measures will be taken to stop the recurrence of such incidents and the drives will continue as long as all accused are arrested. Those responsible for Gopalganj violence won’t be spared: Home Adviser He thanked the television channels for broadcasting the clashes live. Earlier, he visited the Central Police Hospital in Dhaka to enquire about the condition of the injured police personnel. On Wednesday, at least four people were killed and several others injured in clashes between police and activists of Awami League and its associate bodies over a rally of the National Citizen Party (NCP) in Gopalganj. Protesting the attack, leaders and activists of the NPC put blockade on highways and important roads across the country. Later, the party convenor Nahid Islam in a Facebook post urged the party fellows to withdraw the blockade and announced a countrywide protest rally on Thursday. Govt forms probe body over Gopalganj violence Meanwhile, the government has formed a three member body to investigate the violence occurred in Gopalganj.

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Thursday said those responsible for the violence in Gopalganj will be arrested and no mercy will be shown to them. "Those responsible for the incidents in Gopalganj will be brought to justice. There is no question of granting them impunity," he told reporters at the Secretariat when asked about Wednesday’s violence in Gopalganj. When asked whether intelligence agencies had any prior information about the incident, the adviser said, “The intelligence agencies had some information, but they were not aware of the extent of the violence that would occur.” Govt forms probe body over Gopalganj violence Referring to allegations from NCP leaders that law enforcement agencies failed to control the situation, the adviser said, “Anyone can say anything. Everyone is allowed to express their own opinions.” Responding to a query on what measures would be taken to prevent such incidents in the future, he said, “All necessary precautionary measures will be taken to ensure recurrence of such incidents, although the situation is currently under control.” Earlier, on Wednesday, at least four people were killed and several others injured in clashes between police and activists of Awami League and its associate bodies over a rally of the National Citizen Party (NCP) in Gopalganj. Meanwhile, the government imposed a curfew in Gopalganj district amid heightened tensions over clashes between police and Awami League activists over an NCP rally. Curfew continues in Gopalganj; NCP's nationwide protests today The curfew will remain in force from 8pm on Wednesday to 6pm on Thursday, according to the Chief Adviser’s press wing. Meanwhile, NCP announced a countrywide protest rally on Thursday in response to the attack on its rally in Gopalganj. NCP Convener Nahid Islam made the announcement at a press conference held at Khulna Press Club on Wednesday night.  

The interim government on Wednesday said the use of violence in Gopalganj is ‘utterly indefensible’ and those responsible for this brutality will face justice. “Let it be made absolutely clear: violence has no place in our nation. Justice must and will prevail,” said the interim government in a statement on the attacks on a peaceful NCP rally in Gopalganj. The government said preventing young citizens from peacefully holding a rally to commemorate the one-year anniversary of their revolutionary movement is a ‘shameful violation’ of their fundamental rights. Section-144 in Gopalganj Sadar as tension escalates Members of the National Citizen Party (NCP), police and media were subjected to brutal attacks, with their cars vandalised and individuals violently assaulted, the government said in a statement shared by Chief Adviser’s press wing. This heinous act—allegedly carried out by members of the banned Awami League’s Chhatra League and AL activists —will not go unpunished, it said. Fakhrul slams attack on NCP rally, urges stern action against perpetrators “The perpetrators must be swiftly identified and held fully accountable. There is no place for such violence against any citizen of Bangladesh,” said the interim government. The government commended the Army and police for their prompt intervention, and applauded the resilience and courage of the students and people who carried on with their rally despite these malicious threats.