Four people lost their lives in the attack and clash surrounding the Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP) program in Gopalganj on Wednesday. One of them is Ramzan Kazi of Kotalipara upazila. His father Kamrul Kazi is crying uncontrollably after losing him. He said while wailing, “My son did nothing wrong. Why was he killed? Where will I find my son!”
The other three killed were Deepto Saha, son of Santosh Saha, a resident of Udayan Road in Gopalganj city, Sohel Rana of Tungipara and Emon Talukder of Bherar Bazar area of Sadar upazila. The uncle of the deceased Deepto Saha told reporters at the hospital, “Deepto was going to his shop after having lunch. I came to know that he was shot in the stomach in the city’s Chowrangi.”
The deceased Sohel Molla was a mobile phone trader at Keramat Ali Plaza in the Chowrangi area of Gopalganj city. Johnny Khan, a shopkeeper in the same market, confirmed his identity. “All the deceased are said to be Chhatra League activists and Awami League supporters. Many eyewitnesses said, “The common people of Gopalganj who attended the march were angry because of the provocative speeches made on the NCP stage regarding Bangabandhu’s tomb in Tungipara and Bangabandhu and started attacking the stage.”
Newton Molla, president of Gopalganj District Chhatra League, told Tribunal BD, “We had a pre-announced protest march program, but the police blocked the program and the army opened fire. The workers got angry and vandalized the car. 5/6 of our leaders and activists were killed and many were injured. We strongly condemn and protest this massacre by the police and army.”
As part of the ‘July March to Build the Nation’, the NCP held a rally at the municipal park in Gopalganj city on Wednesday afternoon. On the same day, the Awami League and its affiliates had a ‘protest procession’ program in Gopalganj. The leaders and activists became angry when the police blocked their procession. According to local sources, before the meeting, 200-300 local people attacked the NCP rally venue with sticks and chanting ‘Joy Bangla’ slogans.
In protest against the police attack, the Awami League workers vandalized the stage chairs and tore banners. After the meeting, the NCP leaders got into their cars and left the rally venue when the convoy was attacked. Police and army members tried to disperse the attackers by firing bullets and sound grenades to bring the situation under control. The attackers also targeted police and army vehicles and hurled bricks and stones. Four people were killed in the incident. Nine others were shot and more than 150 were injured.
Gopalganj General Hospital official Jeebitesh Biswas said that nine people were brought to the hospital with gunshot wounds. Their surgery is underway. Meanwhile, a young man who was shot in the clash has been admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. The injured person, Sumon Biswas (25), is a driver by profession. He was shot in the little finger of his right hand and in the stomach.
